USDA Nominee Glen Smith Vows Review of Rural Broadband Programs – Broadband Breakfast

Report on USDA Nomination Hearing: Aligning Rural Development with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A Senate Agriculture Committee nomination hearing was held on November 5, 2025, for Glen Smith, the nominee for the position of Undersecretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The hearing focused on critical issues of rural infrastructure, specifically the coordination of federal broadband programs and the status of stalled energy projects. These priorities directly align with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), framing the future of rural development within a global sustainability context.

Broadband Program Coordination and SDG 9

A primary focus of the hearing was the imperative to coordinate the USDA’s various broadband programs to maximize their impact. This initiative is central to achieving SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

• Target 9.1: Lawmakers emphasized that effective coordination is essential to develop reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being in rural regions.
• Target 9.c: The discussion highlighted the need to significantly increase access to information and communications technology, striving for universal and affordable internet access, which is a foundational element for closing the digital divide and ensuring rural communities are not left behind.

Review of Energy Projects and SDG 7

The nominee, Glen Smith, vowed to review stalled energy projects, a commitment that directly supports SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy is a cornerstone of sustainable rural development.

• Target 7.1: By addressing stalled projects, the USDA can play a pivotal role in ensuring universal access to modern energy services for rural households and businesses.
• Target 7.2: The review process offers an opportunity to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, particularly through projects located in rural America.

Cross-Cutting Impacts on Additional SDGs

The effective implementation of rural broadband and energy initiatives will have significant positive impacts on other Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the 2030 Agenda.

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Enhanced digital and energy infrastructure is a catalyst for promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, enabling entrepreneurship and creating new job opportunities in rural areas.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving access to essential services like internet and clean energy, these programs make rural communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The call for better coordination among USDA programs underscores the importance of effective partnerships and streamlined governance to achieve sustainable development outcomes efficiently.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, though brief, touches upon several key areas of development that connect directly to the Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on rural infrastructure—specifically broadband and energy—links to goals centered on infrastructure, energy access, and reducing inequality.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The mention of “reviewing stalled energy projects” directly connects to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Stalled projects represent a barrier to achieving this, particularly in rural areas which often face energy access challenges.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The core topic of “coordinating USDA’s broadband programs” for “Rural” areas is about building resilient infrastructure (specifically digital infrastructure) and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. Broadband is a critical component of modern infrastructure necessary for economic growth, education, and access to services.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  By focusing on “Rural” development, the article implicitly addresses the inequality in access to services and opportunities between rural and urban areas. Expanding broadband and ensuring energy projects are completed in these regions are key strategies to reduce this digital and economic divide, thereby promoting the social and economic inclusion of rural populations.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  While often focused on urban centers, this goal also includes making all human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The role of the “USDA undersecretary for rural development” highlights the importance of strengthening rural communities and their economic and social links to the broader national fabric, which is essential for balanced and sustainable national development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues of rural broadband and energy, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):

   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.” The discussion of “USDA’s broadband programs” for rural areas is a direct effort to provide equitable infrastructure access.
   • Target 9.c: “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet…” The entire premise of reviewing “rural broadband programs” is aligned with this target of expanding internet access.

2. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

   • Target 7.1: “By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.” The commitment to “reviewing stalled energy projects” is a necessary step to overcome obstacles and move towards achieving universal energy access, especially in underserved rural communities.

3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):

   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The focus on providing essential infrastructure like broadband and energy to “Rural” areas is a direct measure to ensure the economic inclusion of populations based on their geographic location.

4. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):

   • Target 11.a: “Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.” The act of “coordinating USDA’s broadband programs” is a form of strengthening regional development planning specifically for rural areas to improve their sustainability and connectivity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention any explicit quantitative indicators. However, the actions described imply ways in which progress could be measured:

• Implied Indicator for Target 9.c:

  The success of “coordinating USDA’s broadband programs” could be measured by Indicator 9.c.1: “Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.” An increase in broadband coverage and adoption rates in rural areas served by these programs would be a direct measure of progress.

• Implied Indicator for Target 7.1:

  The “review of stalled energy projects” implies a goal to get them operational. Progress could be measured by Indicator 7.1.1: “Proportion of population with access to electricity.” The number of stalled projects that are successfully completed and the number of new rural households and businesses connected to the grid as a result would serve as a practical, albeit indirect, indicator.

• General Implied Indicators:

  The very act of a “nomination hearing” and the “review” of programs can be seen as a qualitative indicator of government commitment and institutional capacity to address these rural development issues, which is a foundational element for achieving the SDGs.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: broadbandbreakfast.com