Thread by @RepSpanberger

Our #VA07 Rural Broadband Summit is beginning shortly! Our panelists @akmeacham, @Ali_Christopher, and Richard Jenkins from @USDA are up first. Follow today’s conversation in the thread below 👇

Broadband is essential for business, education, agriculture, emergency response, telemedicine, and more. Lack of access impacts rural residents in #VA07 and across the U.S., creating a #DigitalDivide between communities. #VA07BroadbandSummit

1. Business and the Economy
2. Education
3. Healthcare
4. Democracy
5. Quality of Life
The five pillars of the rural broadband issue, according to our panelist @Ali_Christopher. #VA07BroadbandSummit

Panelist @Ali_Christopher on the economic need to plan for digital infrastructure in the long-term, not just the next few years. #VA07BroadbandSummit

“We need to be technologically neutral, but not technologically blind.” Panelist @Ali_Christopher on the economic need for future-focused internet infrastructure. #VA07BroadbandSummit

“I’d love to see more applicants from this part of Virginia” says panelist Richard Jenkins from @USDA. The USDA offers several grant programs to assist localities with broadband infrastructure. #VA07BroadbandSummit

Panelist Richard Jenkins from @USDA also explaining the scope and benefits of @USDA’s Distance Learning and #Telemedicine Grant, encouraging more Central Virginia communities to apply. #VA07BroadbandSummit

Panelist @akmeacham from the @NTIAgov identifies three main efforts the agency is undertaking:
✅ Streamlining federal permitting
✅ Improve & increase federal funding
✅ Facilitate information-sharing across different parts of the govt. to speed up implementation

“We need to know what we have, to know where we need to go next.” Panelist @akmeacham on the need for accurate broadband mapping. I spearheaded an amendment in the House to address this - we need accurate maps to get help to the communities that need it. #VA07BroadbandSummit

Thank you to everyone who attended this afternoon’s #VA07BroadbandSummit! Here are some of the stories I heard today from constituents (thread below 👇)

Lack of broadband access impacts every sector of the #VA07 economy, and widens the #DigitalDivide between rural and suburban communities. Thank you to our panelists and everyone who came to participate in today’s #VA07BroadbandSummit!