Past Events

Broadband Informational/Listening Session

By June 20, 2022August 19th, 2022No Comments

Monday, June 20th at 2 p.m.

On Monday, June 20th at 2 p.m., ReImagine Appalachia and partners held an informational/listening session that will help us define best practices for broadband expansion to under-resourced Appalachian communities.

There will be a historic amount of money spent on broadband in the next five years. Experts estimate that if planning and implementation is done well, the combined funding for broadband in the IIJA and ARPA bills passed in 2021 could bring broadband to nearly every home and business in Appalachia. 

But this enormous potential also comes with enormous challenges – this is our chance to get things right. 

Speakers included experts from the Communications Workers of America. You can read our first white paper on this topic here

This session covered:

  • What is the potential for broadband expansion under IIJA and ARPA federal packages? 
  • What are some of the potential pitfalls the region faces with broadband expansion? 
  • What labor standards apply to current expansion – and how can we ensure this funding creates good, local union jobs? 
  • What do we know about the stages of broadband implementation of these bills – and how can communities participate in planning for broadband expansion in their state, and in their home community. 

You can watch the recording of the event here: