Chronicle Editorial

A boost for broadband
 
    A bill signed into law last week by Gov. Terry Branstad has the potential to spark economic growth in rural Iowa by expanding broadband Internet service through new incentives.
    Branstad signed the Connect Every Acre initiative following Legislative approval in June. The law establishes a series of property tax incentives for Internet providers to expand services in rural Iowa, in turn boosting high-speed connection across the entire state. Supporters hope the new law will help existing industries expand by providing more reliable broadband Internet connection while simultaneously increasing service for high-tech farming equipment.
    The new law seems like a win-win. If successful, it has the potential to level the playing field somewhat for our state's rural companies. Businesses in metro areas like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and elsewhere have enjoyed high-speed Internet connection for many years, but rural areas like ours have lagged behind. This hinders business operations and has a detrimental effect on expansion opportunities. We live in a highly technological world that relies on speedy Internet connection, but right now some areas of Iowa are coming up short.
    Despite the potential for success, the new law has its flaws. The Legislature did not pass a $5 million grant package that Branstad had originally asked for when he proposed the bill. That could prove detrimental in the future if service providers decide the property tax incentives aren’t worth their time and effort. The governor has often compared broadband Internet expansion to electricity in the early 20th Century: it came to large cities first, then rural communities. That analogy seems to hold water. Rural Iowa communities are falling behind their metropolitan counterparts, and this new law is simply trying to help them catch up.
    Time will tell if Connect Every Acre accomplishes its namesake goal. There's a lot of room for broadband to grow in rural Iowa, and it might not be feasible under the law's current setup. However, state lawmakers could change that next year by allocating Branstad's $5 million grant request. Doing so would increase incentive for rural broadband expansion and strengthen the law's chance at success. Money is tight at the Statehouse right now, but providing some bait to pull more service providers into rural communities could bolster economic development by helping existing businesses grow.
 
Flaunting our freedom
 
    There's always a lot of hubbub going on during the Fourth of July holiday. Be it hotdog eating contests, baseball games or fireworks, our nation spares no expense to celebrate America's birthday.
    The commotion is warranted – Independence Day is an awesome holiday that honors an awesome nation. We get to commemorate our independence in raucous fashion from sea to shining sea. Our freedoms and liberties are what make this nation great, and that certainly deserves a celebration of the utmost grandeur.
    Get rowdy and have fun, but don't forget why we observe this holiday. America's birth is just as important in 2015 as it was in 1776. We're 239 years into this grand democratic experiment, and everything's worked out all right so far. Here's to hoping for 239 more.
    Happy Fourth of July!