NEWS: SpaceX, Tractor Supply and the National 4-H Council announced a partnership today to expand Starlink rural broadband access across the US.
SpaceX will provide 100 Starlink kits and service to designated 4-H clubs serving rural youth.
Every Starlink kit purchased at Tractor Supply stores or TractorSupplycom will generate a donation to the National 4-H Council. SpaceX will donate the value of the customer's first month of service.
Tractor Supply will donate $500,000 to the National 4-H Council to launch the initiative.
The announcement was made at the Great American State Fair. US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attended alongside Tractor Supply CEO Hal Lawton, National 4-H Council CEO Jill Bramble and SpaceX VP of Satellite Policy David Goldman.
Tractor Supply operates 2,435 stores in 49 states. The chain has raised over $27 million for 4-H since 2010 through its Paper Clover fundraiser.
According to the FCC, 22.3% of rural Americans lack standard broadband coverage compared to 1.5% in urban areas.
(Vice President of Satellite Policy at Space X David Goldman, U.S. Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of National 4-H Council Jill Bramble, and Tractor Supply President and CEO Hal Lawton announce alliance at the Great American State Fair)