Private earnings—all earnings, excluding farm earnings and Federal, State and local government earnings—were greater for the treatment counties than for the control counties. The results we obtained are consistent with the argument that broadband Internet access has a positive effect on rural communities.
Our analysis supports the hypothesis that investment in broadband Internet access leads to a more competitive economy.
The authors of this report also wrote that broadband benefits include "medical, educational, and job services. One particular beneļ¬t is telemedicine." Further, lack of broadband — reliance on dial-up — stifles interest in the internet and its utility.
What is VATI and how it can help
The Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) can help address inequity in connectivity. VATI's purpose "is to provide financial assistance to supplement construction costs by private sector broadband service providers to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider." In this way, the project's goal of creating "strong, competitive communities throughout the Commonwealth by preparing those communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure" is achieved.The Department of Housing and Community Development has $1 million available to improve the broadband infrastructure/provide last-mile services. Local governments and other organizations may apply for funding to supplement private ISP capital in order to expand broadband to areas currently unserved by a broadband provider.
The public is encouraged to comment on the 2018 VATI proposed guidelines and criteria at the public input session Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 10:00 am-Noon in Richmond (Main Street Center, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300). Register for the VATI input session.
DHCD is also offering the How to Apply webinar Monday, June 16, 2017 from 10:00 am-Noon. Register for the webinar.
Note: It took two hours to upload this post since the internet was off and on. No broadband where I live!
