According to a news report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested$9 million on high speed broadband Internet access in 9 rural communities in Tennessee. An official of USDA said in a statement that the objective of the broadband infrastructure is to "create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 3,744 rural households, 31 businesses, 41 farms and a critical community facility in Tennessee."

The statement highlighted the importance of Internet access in boosting economic activities and thereby increasing prosperity in rural America. Further the statement echoed the commitment of the USDA through the USDA ReConnect Pilot Program investments to partner with rural communities to deploy critical Internet infrastructure.