Press Releases
Rep. Wexton and Deputy Commerce Secretary Graves Host Roundtable on New Federal Funding to Expand Broadband in Virginia
Hillsboro, VA,
June 29, 2023
Hillsboro, VA – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) hosted U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves in Hillsboro to discuss new federal funding coming to Virginia to expand access to high-speed internet with a roundtable of local residents, business owners, and other stakeholders. On Monday, President Joe Biden announced $42.5 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding to close the digital divide by 2030, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Virginia is set to receive $1.48 billion. “Expanding broadband means kids don’t have to sit in a McDonald’s parking lot to connect to WiFi just so they can do their homework. Expanding broadband means new opportunities for small business owners like the ones here today to grow and innovate their business. Expanding broadband means not leaving our rural communities behind,” said Rep. Wexton. She continued. “That’s changing thanks to investments like the one announced by President Biden earlier this week – made possible by our once-in-a-generation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” Rep. Wexton and Deputy Secretary Graves heard from a wide variety of participants about their challenges with accessing and affording broadband in their homes, businesses, and classrooms, as well as discussed ongoing broadband expansion initiatives in Virginia – including a project being undertaken through All Points Broadband, made possible in part by federal funding in the American Rescue Plan, to connect thousands of rural homes and businesses across the region. Participants emphasized the importance of reliable, high-speed internet to conduct business, particularly at Loudoun’s many agritourism businesses like wineries and breweries, as well as ways lack of connection is holding students and teachers back from making the most of their learning opportunities in school. Wexton’s full remarks as prepared for delivery can be found here. Photos and videos of the event can be found here. A full list of participants is below: U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves ### |
