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Connected Nation
This is Connected Nation – an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband. From closing the Digital Divide to simply improving your internet speeds, we talk technology topics that impact all of us, our families, and our communities.
The podcast was honored in 2024 with an Award of Excellence for Podcast Series - Technology. This is the highest honor given by the Communicator Awards. More recently, the podcast received an Award of Distinction in 2025. It received the same honor in 2023 and 2022.
Learn more about the national nonprofit behind this podcast at connectednation.org.
Connected Nation
How a new network brings the federal government directly to the front porch of rural America
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership at the USDA about the recently launched Rural Partners Network which promises to bring “the federal government [directly] to rural America.”
We find out how this approach will work, which remote areas will immediately benefit, and how other small towns across the US can take advantage of this new opportunity.
Related links:
Get the factsheet about the Rural Partners Network - https://www.rural.gov/
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook: A roadmap for delivering opportunities and investments in rural America -
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BIL-Rural-Playbook-.pdf
From the White House: Press release announcing the Rural Partners Network (RPN)
About USDA Rural Development - https://www.rd.usda.gov/
Learn what else the USDA is doing to connect rural America – Connected Nation podcast, season 2, episode 14
