Expanding broadband access is critical | Guest Opinion

I have the privilege of working with business leaders to help foster sustainable economic growth and investment across our region. In recent months, I have also watched communities across Washington struggle to respond to the public health and economic challenges associated with COVID-19.

Amid this unprecedented crisis, businesses of all sizes have demonstrated a tremendous degree of ingenuity and resilience, while also taking necessary precautions to protect public health and safety. Restaurants have scaled outdoor dining and take-out, agricultural producers have restructured their supply chains, and many commercial activities have shifted online.

The pandemic has altered nearly every industry and sector, creating conditions that require additional connectivity and functional online platforms for businesses to meet changing consumer demand and remain viable.

We should applaud existing efforts by businesses to adapt to the pandemic but recognize that they will require robust and lasting tools to survive the current crisis. The pandemic has made it clear that in a world of physical distancing and contactless commerce, reliable, high-speed internet connection is not a luxury — it is essential.

To emerge from this pandemic safely and successfully, our leaders in Congress must prioritize legislation that modernizes broadband infrastructure.

The importance of a reliable, high-speed internet connection for businesses and our community at large cannot be overstated. For the foreseeable future, students will require internet access to continue to learn from home, and parents will depend on a stable connection to work remotely and earn a living.

At a time when many healthcare service providers are under strain, telehealth consultations have become a safe and necessary practice to promote positive health outcomes among vulnerable groups.

Our members have seen first-hand how businesses and consumers are increasingly relying on broadband internet service to shop for goods and services online. Expanding access to broadband services in the surrounding areas would not only keep our communities safe, but it would lay the foundation for businesses to emerge from the pandemic with access to new tools that will contribute to a swift economic recovery.

To make universal broadband access a reality for business owners and families in Pasco and across Washington, we need greater cooperation among local, state, and federal leaders. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have lent their support in Congress to raise broadband access issues. Yet, without additional investment, we risk missing this unique opportunity to support our communities and their ability to fully participate in the digital economy.

To that end, Congress can start by committing to fully funding the Broadband DATA Act, a bill co-sponsored by our own U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse.

This legislation represents an important first step in helping to close the digital divide by instructing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create more accurate coverage maps that can help inform future investment decisions, and prioritize the communities that are most in need — especially rural businesses and residents that already suffer from a disproportionate lack of access to broadband connectivity.

We have worked and will continue to work tirelessly to create a flourishing local economy.

Time and again we have seen the value of government and industry partnerships in service of an important goal and expanding internet access is no different. We will continue to work with local leaders and urge Congress to prioritize long-term solutions that accelerate universal broadband access and the kind of digital infrastructure needed to keep our community thriving during this difficult time, and that will be indispensable for the future success of our community.

This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Expanding broadband access is critical | Guest Opinion."