Four Principles to Maximize the Impact of Federal Spending on Connectivity in the Heartland

Heartland Forward's work through Connecting the Heartland in the coming months and years will be anchored in four guiding principles:

1. Public investments in high-speed internet should lift everyone up. The long-term success depends on having consumers who can afford the service, understand and trust its relevance for improving their lives and the skills to know how to use it.
2. Communities should drive solutions that meet their own unique needs. Communities need to be empowered with independent information, expertise and authority to develop plans based on their own local needs and circumstances.
3. Regulations and standards should maximize today’s investments for long-term impact. Regulations and standards should be designed to encourage maximum efficiency in the deployment process, transparency and speeds that will meet tomorrow’s needs.
4. Access to high-speed internet will positively impact our economy. Public funds spent to increase access to internet service can serve double-duty in addressing other needs, from healthcare quality and access, to education and training, to job creation. 

[Angie Cooper is Chief Program Officer of Heartland Forward.]