President Biden is poised to announce a $40 billion funding initiative designed to bring internet access to underserved areas across the United States in the coming years. The White House has labeled this announcement as the starting point for a three-week “investing in America” campaign, during which President Biden and other officials will highlight how funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other legislation passed under the Biden administration is bolstering national infrastructure.
A White House official stated, “Just like Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered electricity to every home in America through his Rural Electrification Act, the announcement is part of President Biden’s broader effort to deliver investments, jobs, and opportunities directly to working and middle-class families across the country.”
The White House reports that approximately 8.5 million locations in the U.S. currently lack internet connectivity. The primary source of funding for this ambitious connectivity plan will be the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Officials expect that the process of allocating funding and implementing the necessary infrastructure to improve internet access will take roughly 18 months. A timeline provided by the White House indicates that state and local planning will be conducted in the upcoming months, with initial plans due by year-end. Early next year, the approved initial plans will receive 20% of the allocated funds, while the remaining 80% will be disbursed in 2025 once final plans are approved.
President Biden frequently emphasizes the importance of expanding internet access when discussing investments in the middle class, as he believes it is crucial for economic competitiveness in the 21st century.
During a call with reporters to discuss the announcement, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients highlighted the plight of farmers in North Carolina who lack internet access and must rely on word-of-mouth to sell their crops and livestock.
Zients stated, “Every day, sometimes multiple times a day, the president pushes me, our White House team, and the Cabinet on how we can get things done even faster, more efficiently, and more effectively. Our mission is to keep executing.” He added, “We have a historic opportunity here to make a real difference in people’s lives, and ensuring that we deliver on that potential is our daily focus. We want people to feel the impact at their kitchen tables, in their communities, and in their own backyards.”
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