Land-grant universities across the south are addressing the growing demand for digital connectivity in rural areas by leading research-based efforts to expand broadband, strengthen digital skills and connect communities to essential services.
By leveraging Extension networks and agricultural research, these universities are helping rural communities stay connected, competitive and prepared for the future.
The Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics is partnering with 30 libraries in small, rural communities (with populations of 2,500-7,000) across Oklahoma to provide mobile handheld devices that use cellular networks to offer broadband connections for library customers to take home or on the road. These internet hotspots can support up to 10 devices at a time for households lacking a regular internet connection.
Oklahoma established a state Broadband Office that has now distributed more than $450 million in grants to connect more than 65,000 households and businesses. Another $750 million will soon be provided to connect the remaining 75,000 households that still lack high-speed internet. The council’s goal is to ensure that the 1.7 million households across the state have access to the internet.
According to 2024 studies conducted by Brian Whitacre, OSU Jean and Patsy Neustadt Chair in Agricultural Economics and OSU Extension rural development specialist, these faster connections could mean an increase in housing values between 2% and 9%, with speed improvements beyond 100 Mbps/20 Mbps, resulting in new business births. Whitacre also led the effort to install telehealth booths at three rural libraries across the state, where patrons can connect to a physician, often specialists not available in rural locations.
Extension programs at Langston University in Oklahoma are leading a coordinated effort to expand high-speed internet access across 13 small towns across the state. Working together with local leaders, LU Extension has helped towns identify critical infrastructure needs, collect accurate service data and prepare competitive grant applications to secure broadband investment. This hands-on support will ensure that small communities often overlooked in statewide planning have a strong voice and proposals backed by real evidence of their needs.
Several towns have now been awarded funds, and broadband construction is already underway, leading to improved internet access that supports economic growth, educational opportunities, health and wellness, agricultural innovation and government and community services.
In Georgia, Fort Valley State University researchers identified significant gaps in broadband access and digital skills, particularly in areas with high poverty rates, aging populations and limited educational attainment. Funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration through the Connecting Minority Communities grant, along with support from the Southern Rural Development Center, enabled the deployment of wireless infrastructure and the distribution of technology in areas with limited resources.
FVSU also developed customized digital literacy programs with training that included a six-hour Digital Literacy course and multi-day technology camps, which enhanced technical skills, confidence and cyber safety awareness. Early results show increased online engagement and improved access to essential services, with residents reporting greater confidence navigating digital environments safely.
In Louisiana, the Southern University Ag Center Cooperative Extension Program’s Mobile Technology Center is bridging the digital divide across the state’s urban and rural communities.
M-TEC provides internet access and educational resources to some of the state’s most remote areas. It is equipped with touchscreen monitors, laptops, a central processing unit and satellite systems, enabling it to serve as a mobile classroom for onsite training. The unit’s core mission is to improve access to education and resources during crises, and it has been instrumental in disaster recovery efforts, serving as a mobile hub for vital information.
“Across the southern region, these collaborative efforts show what the land-grant mission is all about—bringing research, Extension and local partnerships together to solve real challenges in our communities,” said Scott Senseman, associate vice president of OSU Ag Research and a member of agInnovation. “By expanding broadband access and strengthening digital skills, we’re not just improving connectivity — we’re opening doors to economic opportunity, education, health care and innovation. This work demonstrates how land-grant universities continue to serve as trusted partners in improving quality of life and building a more resilient future for rural communities.”
Learn more about the Oklahoma broadband program at https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2026/big-check-presentation-highlights-osu-extensions-rural-broadband-work
Oklahoma State University, Langston University, Fort Valley State University and Southern University are part of agInnovation, a system of agricultural research centers at 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities across the southern U.S. Our scientists collaborate to conduct research and outreach focused on preserving the region’s natural resources and enhancing food production for a growing global population.
