Broadband, workforce challenges: Indiana Farm Bureau vice president testifies before Congress

WASHINGTON — Indiana Farm Bureau Vice President Kendell Culp visited Washington, D.C., to testify at a U.S. House Committee on Small Business.

He discussed the challenges of operating a small business in rural Indiana, including reliable broadband, attracting and maintaining a strong workforce and what Congress needs to consider, including in the upcoming farm bill legislation to address these issues in rural communities.

Culp shared three challenges for rural communities and small businesses.

1. Planning for the future.

“The 2020 Census showed just how dire the situation is in rural America,” Culp said. “Across the country, rural communities have seen a decline in population while urban communities and their suburbs have seen growth.

“According to the 2020 Census, 53% of Indiana’s counties lost population. This matches the national average and shows that the decline in population in our rural communities is a problem that must be addressed before we lose rural communities.”

2. Access to reliable broadband.

“In order to attract small businesses, rural communities need access to reliable broadband,” Culp said. “Today, internet access is a must for small businesses, and without a reliable connection they will miss out on the opportunities needed to survive and grow.

“Additionally, without reliable broadband our rural communities lose access to necessary resources like health care, government services and education.”

3. Attracting and maintaining a strong workforce.

“I’m sure this comes as no surprise to this committee, but workforce challenges are at the forefront of every industry, every community and every business, big or small,” Culp said.

“Coupled with a declining population in rural areas, rural workforce issues are compounded, and our small business owners are feeling the brunt of the problem. Jobs can’t get filled, shops and restaurants are forced to reduce hours of operation, and small businesses that are so important to rural America are closing for good.

“We must not only retain the workforce we have, but also focus on attracting new workers to live and work in our communities. Fortunately, Indiana and Jasper County have taken several steps to attract and retain our workforce.”

Those steps include investing in workforce development to promote skilled workforce training in schools, focusing on childcare availability and quality of life amenities — such as quality schools, health care and infrastructure.

Rural Development

Culp also discussed the rural development title of the 2023 farm bill.

“The rural development title of the farm bill has been included since 1973 and helps rural communities fund broadband investment, improve rural health care and build community and economic development programs, water and wastewater treatment systems, and assistance for rural businesses,” he said.

“The farm bill impacts the well-being of all Americans, and while it is not a fix to all the challenges our rural communities are facing, rural development programs are an important tool in the toolbox for communities to use as they plan.”

Culp hopes for a timely, bipartisan passage of the 2023 farm bill.

He also shared about the need for simplified federal grant processes.

“Whether it’s a local farmer, a small business owner, or a passionate parent that wants to open a childcare facility, the message is the same,” he said.

“Grant and loan applications are too burdensome for the average small business owner and the process is often too time-consuming to make it worth the trouble.

“Even worse, too often those that could use these grants and loans the most may not even know these resources exist or where to look for assistance.

“We must also ensure that the dollars allocated for rural communities are going to serve the communities they were intended to serve.”