Broadband in minority and rural communities — waiting for government won't work

Candidates are promising billions of dollars to rural and minority communities to deploy broadband. These communities still wait. While these communities do not have the money to build their own telecommunications infrastructure, they simply can’t risk waiting for a federal government that makes promises it knows can never be fulfilled. How can communities address this challenge? They must first recognize that the federal government is not coming with the money. This understanding is essential to moving forward. To achieve transformation these communities must identify local leadership, available resources, and directly confront the impediments to success. This self-assessment allows them to organize community banks, local companies, foundations and trade associations, educational institutions, health and law clinics, and skilled retired workers to help implement their vision. These organizations and volunteers are accessible to every community. Now that corporations are committing to balancing profits with the needs of workers and communities, this organizing effort should be more feasible.

[Harry Alford is president and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. William L. Kovacs is a former senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce]