When I drove around the Western US two years ago I heard on the radio (never watched TV on the trip) many commercials for satellite Internet service. Most of those services were very expensive. Hopefully, this week’s announcement from the USDA will change that.

This week the USDA announced that they are loaning $267 million to Open Range Communications. I am generally not a fan of the government lending money to corporations, but in this case I’m making an exception. Open Range Communications plans to use the loan to bring broadband Internet service to rural areas in 17 states. This is a good thing for students and teachers in rural areas. Having reliable Internet access at home expands the opportunities for students to learn with 21st Century tools outside of the classroom.