Closing the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
Biden Infrastructure Package Includes $100 Billion for Broadband March 31, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Communications Manager
ajohnson@shlb.org
(571) 308-6171
Washington, D.C. (March 31, 2021) - Today the White House unveiled the American Jobs Plan, which proposes to invest $100 billion in broadband infrastructure for unserved and underserved parts of the country.
John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, made the following statement:
“SHLB is extremely pleased with the Biden Administration’s strong leadership in addressing the digital divide. The American Jobs Plan recognizes the importance of investing to connect 100 percent of Americans to broadband. It wisely calls for future-proof capacity, which will encompass the high-bandwidth demands of anchor institutions. America needs both middle-mile and last-mile investments in broadband infrastructure to support our connectivity not only today, but for years to come.
“Furthermore, we applaud the Administration's plan to cover unserved and underserved communities, both of which require significant investment. The biggest problem in America is not overbuilding – it is underbuilding, and the American Jobs Plan will make meaningful progress to address this broadband capacity shortage across the country.
“The SHLB Coalition looks forward to working with the Biden Administration and Congress to ensure that the legislation includes multi-gigabit capacity for anchor institutions, as the Accessible, Affordable Internet For All Act does. Anchor institutions are the gateway to the community, and we cannot close the digital divide without keeping them front and center of our broadband policies.”
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About SHLB:
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.