Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses

The U.S. House Committee on Small Business convened a hearing titled 'Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses,' focusing on the critical role of reliable, affordable broadband in rural economies. Witnesses—including a Minnesota cooperative CEO, a Kansas telecom leader, a Michigan farmer, and a Kentucky rural teleco-op executive—shared firsthand experiences on how fiber-optic broadband enables small business growth, supports precision agriculture, and strengthens rural communities. Key concerns included the abrupt removal of fiber preference in the Biden-era BEAD program, which critics argue undermines the reliability and scalability of broadband infrastructure. Testimony emphasized that fiber is the most future-proof, scalable, and cost-effective technology, especially in rural areas with sparse population and difficult geography. The hearing also highlighted persistent policy and operational barriers, including permitting delays, inaccurate mapping, and misallocation of federal funds. Participants called for reforms to the Universal Service Fund, streamlined permitting, and better alignment of funding programs to ensure rural America receives equitable, high-quality internet access—making it a cornerstone of economic competitiveness, innovation, and quality of life.