A new Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) study confirms that fiber broadband adoption drives rural economic growth. The study, Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience, analyzed post-pandemic data (2020-2022) and found that rural communities with broadband adoption rates above 80% experience higher business growth, increased incomes, and stronger local economies.
213% higher business growth, preventing closures and job losses.
10% higher self-employment, boosting entrepreneurship and startups.
44% higher GDP growth, strengthening local business and innovation.
18% higher per capita income growth, adding nearly $500 per resident yearly.
The study highlights the role of small fiber broadband providers in delivering high-speed internet and innovative services, allowing rural businesses and communities to thrive. Real-world case studies—such as Paul Bunyan Communications (MN), Bulloch Solutions (GA), and Blackfoot Communications (MT)—demonstrate how broadband investment fuels economic resilience.
Source: “New Research Proves That Providing Fiber Broadband Experiences to Rural Communities Boosts Income, Entrepreneurship, and Business Investment,” Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), September 30, 2024.
Read more: www.ruralinnovation.us