Advertisement Pete Buttigieg releases plan to ‘unleash economic potential of rural America’ South Bend mayor proposes ‘Internet for All’ as part of new proposal Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Mayor Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday unveiled a plan his campaign says will “empower” rural America by guaranteeing “Internet for All,” spending $500 million to advance innovation and expanding opportunities for veterans.“Rural America is vital to our country’s past, present, and future. It is the main source of food and energy for our country. Our economy depends on its abundant natural resources. New generations of immigrants from all over the world are joining descendants of earlier waves from places like Germany, Italy and Ireland to create a strong American workforce in rural communities across the country,” the Democratic presidential candidate writes in his plan.View the Buttigieg plan here.“Yet, our government too often treats rural America as an afterthought, and it shows. Rural Americans today die younger than urban Americans. Farm income has plummeted, more workers are sinking into poverty and job growth is lagging compared to urban areas. Opioids are ravaging a generation. Access to quality health care, including mental health care, is often literally out of reach.”Buttigieg proposes spending $80 billion to ensure “full high-speed broadband" and $500 million to “develop and support a national network of 1,000 Regional Innovation Clusters.” He calls for expansion of a Small Business Administration plan to provide each veteran who graduates from its “Boots to Business” program a $10,000 grant to start a business.Buttigieg promises to reduce teacher shortages in rural areas by 50 percent in 15 years and spend $50 billion over 10 years for “innovative research” in soil technology, plant and animal health, food safety, nutrition and other key areas as part of a solution to climate change. Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said that as someone who grew up and lives in “mid-sized, Midwestern city surrounded by farms and fields, I’ve seen an overlooked community lift itself up with determination and creativity.“Just as my own hometown rose up to start a new chapter and meet the future with a fresh approach and new ideas, we can tackle this moment of urgency head on to create opportunity for rural Americans if we empower our communities rather than overlook them.”The campaign released a statement from state Rep. Dave Morrill, D-Keene, who said:"In this plan, Pete wisely recognizes that time is running out for us to address climate change and that American farmers are an essential part of the solution. Pete’s plan both supports farmers and creates new opportunities by engaging them in the fight against climate change."At a time when we’re seeing firsthand the negative effects of climate change and also losing soil vital for growing our food, this is the kind of urgent, innovative action New Hampshire needs.”