Rep Bilirakis Works to Close the Digital Divide by Prioritizing Broadband Investment in Flood Plains

Rep Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, which would accelerate the deployment of broadband projects entirely within a floodplain. Broadband connectivity is a  vital tool for economic development, education, improved access to healthcare options, and emergency communication.  While there has been a great deal of federal funding authorized in recent years to help improve internet connectivity throughout the nation, the sad truth is that those dollars have been bogged down in red tape, and far too many homes are without this critical infrastructure. Florida was ravaged by recent back-to-back hurricanes, and Floridians had a critical need to receive emergency information both prior to those natural disasters and in the aftermath of the storms.  Those who were without connectivity were at a significant disadvantage in receiving timely updates and filing for critical assistance. It was abundantly clear that Congress should remove red tape and prioritize the investment of a resilient system of infrastructure buildouts in these most vulnerable areas.