Local communities are a key piece in the broadband puzzle

Local governments play a critical and direct role facilitating broadband upgrades and new deployments through their zoning and permitting functions. Recognizing that communities across the country could benefit from additional resources, I introduced H.R. 5058, the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, to provide grants to hire and train employees, purchase software, and upgrade capabilities to facilitate broadband upgrades and deployment. To ensure broadband providers can build the networks that are critical to meet the rapidly increasing connectivity needs of all communities, we must make it a federal priority to provide local governments with the additional resources they need to process requests for zoning and permitting approval. My bill establishes a voluntary grant program that relies on incentives to promote broadband deployment. To be eligible for grant funding, applicants are asked to demonstrate that they have adopted certain commonsense measures that facilitate deployment. The head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will consider and process grant applications and award funds to eligible jurisdictions. The bill also establishes a Local Broadband Advisory Council to develop solutions to ongoing challenges to deployment faced by local governments and infrastructure providers in unserved and underserved areas.

[Lizzie Fletcher represents the 7th District of Texas and is a member of the House Commerce Committee]