Riley Leads Charge to Close Digital Divide in Upstate New York

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) announced today that he has cosponsored the Middle Mile for Rural America Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) to reauthorize and extend the federal Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program through 2031.

"In Upstate New York, fast, reliable internet isn't a luxury—it's the foundation of a modern economy and a key to our future," said Rep. Riley. "Too many of our communities are still on the wrong side of the digital divide. This bill builds the essential infrastructure we need to get better broadband to every home, farm, and business, ensuring no one is left behind. I'll work with anyone to get this done for our constituents."

The legislation amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb–1(g)) to extend the program's authorization to 2031. It provides sustained federal support for middle-mile projects, which connect major internet backbones to local providers.

This strong middle-mile infrastructure is critical to:

• Lowering costs for rural providers. By connecting them to major data hubs, the bill reduces the operational expenses of delivering service to hard-to-reach areas.

• Improving internet reliability. Families, schools, and businesses will benefit from a more resilient network that can handle the demands of modern online life.

• Accelerating last-mile deployment. This bill creates a powerful incentive for providers to extend service directly to homes and farms, making internet access a reality for unserved communities.

The legislation has received support from a broad coalition of national rural advocacy organizations, including the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.

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