White House Increases Focus on Rural Broadband Implications of Trump's Infrastructure Proposal
The White House upped its emphasis Friday on the potential impact President Donald Trump's infrastructure legislative proposal could have on rural broadband deployments, saying in a news release it will “provide critical funding” for such projects. The proposal, released earlier…
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this month, includes $50 billion in block grants to state governments for rural infrastructure deployments that broadband projects could qualify for but no dedicated broadband funding (see 1802120001). “Inadequate broadband access is a barrier to rural prosperity,” the White House said. “It stunts economic growth and prevents many rural Americans from engaging in the modern economy. Further, lack of broadband access deprives many rural students of educational opportunities afforded to those living in areas with better connectivity. Expanded broadband access will offer a better quality of life and more economic opportunity for rural communities that have been left behind for too long.” Trump drew criticism for not specifically mentioning broadband when he highlighted his then-pending infrastructure proposal during his January State of the Union speech (see 1801310071). The White House has since repeatedly cited in press materials on the infrastructure proposal Trump's commitment to broadband (see 1802140052, 1802200050 and 1802220064).