Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday a letter was sent to Vermont state senators from a coalition of Vermont businesses, organizations, and individuals in support of investment in Vermont’s cellular infrastructure. While supporting the state's significant investment and effort in expanding broadband Internet service, the coalition is asking lawmakers to also support investments in wireless connectivity this session "so that Vermont can start addressing the unserved and underserved areas of our state."
See letter below.
Senator Jane Kitchel, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
Members of the Senate
Vermont State House
RE: Vermont Can’t Grow Without Cell Service
Dear Chair Kitchel and Members of Senate:
An important aspect of growing our economy and population in Vermont is the ability to meet the needs of businesses and Vermonters. One major component that is not being addressed is expanding wireless cell services. Areas affected in a negative way due to the lack of service include the healthcare sector for telemedicine, tourism, agricultural sector for progressive ag practices, construction, education, emergency services, and more.
We all have members and employees that would benefit from these investments to ensure that wireless service can be accessed by everyone to improve safety, connectivity, and community togetherness. A focus should be placed not only on filling voids with no cell service but improving the stability and availability of connectivity for everyone - remote workers to school aged learners. Currently, 911 emergency services would benefit by utilizing the expanded cell service to lower the number of “dropped” calls inhibiting emergency responsiveness, sometimes yielding fatal results.
We fully support Vermont’s investment and dedication to broadband initiatives. We see improving cellular service as a complement to these investments and an extension to infrastructure that will strengthen and grow opportunities for Vermont and Vermonters. We now have the technology to connect pockets of our state that were otherwise deemed uneconomical or unfeasible to service.
We ask that the Vermont Senate support investments in wireless connectivity this session so that Vermont can start addressing the unserved and underserved areas of our state.
Sincerely,
Addison County Economic Development Corp
Agri-Mark
Ann Clark Cookie Cutters
A. & R. Belley Inc.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Bruce Lisman
Champlain Valley Equipment
C&P Brick and Motor
Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Dairy Farmers of America
Eye Care for You
F. H. Gillingham & Sons
Fairmont Farm Inc
Foley Services, Inc.
Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
FreshTracks Capital
Gravel & Shea
Greater Burlington Industrial Corp. & Cynosure, Inc.
Green Mountain Insight
Hickock & Boardman Insurance Group
IPJ Real Estate
Junction Eye Center LLC
Killington Distillery
Kinney Drug
Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corp
Lamoille Chamber of Commerce
Lamoille Economic Development Corporation
Lisa Ventriss; Retired VT Business Round Table
Mountain Inn
O’Brien Brothers
Pizzagalli Construction
Pomerleau Real Estate
ReArch
Scott Boardman
Select Design
University of Vermont Health Network
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Vermont Community Foundation
Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
Vermont Farm Bureau
Vermont Higher Education Council on behalf of Members
Vermont Optometric Association
Vermont Professionals of Color Network
Vermont Ski Areas Association
Vermont Teddy Bear
Vermont Veterinary Medical Association
Vistage International
Source: Vermont Chamber of Commerce. 4.4.2023.