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Impacts of the USDA Broadband Initiatives Program on house prices

Author

Listed:
  • John Pender
  • Joshua Goldstein
  • Hanna Charankevich
  • Xin Wang
  • Neil Kattampallil

Abstract

We use proprietary house sales data and program data to investigate impacts of 39 projects supported by USDA's Broadband Initiatives Program on house prices and estimate the capitalized economic benefits of those projects. These projects increased house prices by an average of 2.5 percent after all projects were approved. The estimated benefits of these projects totaled $2.0 billion, 2.8 times the investment costs. We found larger benefits per house for higher cost projects and projects promoting fiber‐to‐the‐household or DSL technology than for wireless projects, but similar positive benefits per house in metropolitan, micropolitan, and small town/rural regions.

Suggested Citation

  • John Pender & Joshua Goldstein & Hanna Charankevich & Xin Wang & Neil Kattampallil, 2026. "Impacts of the USDA Broadband Initiatives Program on house prices," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 64(1), pages 300-324, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:64:y:2026:i:1:p:300-324
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.70025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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