Virginia lieutenant governor-elect expresses concern for rural broadband under infrastructure law

Winsome Sears (R-VA), Virginia's lieutenant governor-elect, expressed the importance of rural broadband access and her concerns over how funds allocated for broadband access in the newly signed infrastructure law would help Virginians, especially in the southwestern part of the state. Sears does not believe funding for broadband internet would benefit southwestern Virginia, saying, "We're using the budget, the money to try to make things happen that are not happening and it's not right." Sears' comments come days after President Joe Biden signed the massive infrastructure law to help close the digital divide and provide a $65 billion investment in improving the nation's broadband infrastructure in which each state will receive at least $100 million. Virginia has already made strides to expand broadband access in the state and Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, announced over the summer plans to invest $700 million in American Rescue Plan Act to fast-track his goal to achieve universal internet access from by 2024. But many rural counties in Virginia lag behind other parts of commonwealth in the number of households with broadband subscriptions, according to the Virginia Department of Health.