Photo credits: Official White House Photos by Lawrence Jackson. Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray is at the far left in pink and Vice President Kamala Harris is at the head of the table on the right.
Vermont Business Magazine Tuesday morning, Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray and colleagues from across the nation met with Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC, to discuss the needs of states coming out of the pandemic, particularly rural broadband access.
Since taking Office in January 2021, Gray has consistently advocated to close the broadband gap in Vermont, convening experts, supporting increased federal funding, as well as calling for increased state investments in telehealth. Gray also made the case that broadband access must be considered the modern day highway for human rights, including the right to health, education, and government participation.
While at the White House, Gray discussed how, at the start of the pandemic, one-fourth of Vermont geographically could not get online, including roughly 60,000 homes and residents.
She thanked the Biden-Harris Administration for the more than $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help address the broadband gap as well as the additional $100 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to expand coverage.
Already, Vermont has used this funding to launch a Vermont Community Broadband Board, which is prepared to grant over $116 million to communication union districts (CUDs) - entities similar to a municipality that are dedicated to rapidly deploying fiber to the home in rural areas.
Funds have also supported various emergency connectivity initiatives, including the emergency deployment of more than 1325 iPads and over 550 WiFi boosters to Vermonters in need of telehealth access in all 14 counties.
"Vermont's ability to recover stronger from this pandemic depends on federal funds to close the broadband gap, Vermont is deeply grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their leadership in this critical area," said Lt. Governor Gray, “Access to telehealth, online learning, remote work, civic engagement, as well as mental health and support services cannot be further prolonged. Vermonters in unserved communities cannot wait another 10 years, 5 years, or 3 years for broadband access. Federal funding will support the critical work necessary to end their wait and provide further broadband access.”
Source: Office of Lt. Governor Molly Gray ltgov.vermont.gov/ 3.29.2022. These photographs may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement of The White House.
