Statement from Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation, Applauding the Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

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Nov 09, 2021, 09:08 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Nation Chairman & CEO Tom Ferree issued the following statement applauding the passage of HR 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, late Friday:

"This month, as we celebrate 20 years as an organization working in the trenches to close the digital divide across America, it is tremendously exciting to see the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," said Ferree. "This bill provides an unprecedented $65 billion in funding to build robust broadband infrastructure and address the many digital equity issues that our country still faces."

Ferree continued, "Just as federal investment in the interstate highway system fostered economic development, better health care, improved education, and access to goods and services 65 years ago, Congress has now made a generational investment in broadband to do the same and more. We're heartened by the way this bill tears down barriers to broadband access and adoption in ways that no previous legislation has and that states will play such a critical role to identify inequities, improve competition, and close coverage gaps once and for all."

"We look forward to working with NTIA, the FCC, and our state broadband office partners to maximize the impact of the programs enabled by this bill," Ferree concluded.

About Connected Nation

Connected Nation is celebrating 20 years of service in 2021. Its mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.

The national nonprofit works with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers, and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit: connectednation.org and follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Connected Nation