Remarks of NTIA's Strickling at Transforming Communities: Broadband Goals for 2017 and Beyond

As this conference focuses on broadband goals for the future and setting priorities for the next Administration, particularly the possibility of a new infrastructure program, I would like to offer my evaluation of what worked well in the Obama Administration to expand broadband access and adoption.

The broadband grant programs we developed and managed at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration provided an important opportunity to invest in the nation's future and spurred private investment and economic development. We learned a lot and we continue to share those lessons with communities around the nation through our BroadbandUSA program. I am very proud of the solid foundation NTIA and the Obama Administration laid over the last eight years to connect communities across America and to expand the adoption of broadband services by many Americans. But it is clear that there is more work to be done, and we need to continue to learn and build on our successes. Going forward, NTIA has an enthusiastic team of experts in place who stand ready to work with communities, policymakers and all of you in this room to continue building out the digital infrastructure needed to help compete in the global economy and narrow the digital divide. As I depart NTIA in a few weeks, my hope is that NTIA's strong record of accomplishment of the last eight years will continue.