Presidential candidate Hickenlooper issues rural policy plan

John Hickenlooper

On Friday, Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper, former governor of Colorado, unveiled a plan to invest billions of dollars in rural communities as part of his platform.

The plan prioritizes fighting the opioid epidemic, investing in renewable energy, and expanding access to health care, education, infrastructure and broadband. Hickenlooper wrote that he would also "streamline access to the more than 60 federal programs designed for rural communities."

Hickenlooper said his experience as a successful entrepreneur makes him uniquely qualified to consider the needs of rural businesses. And, he said, during his two terms as governor he had expanded broadband access to 64 of Colorado's rural counties and that such initiatives have made the state's rural counties more successful. Read the plan here.

Editor's note: The Rural Blog plans to report on major rural policy platforms of the candidates.