Broadband equity is within sight — task force asks you to write a letter
On March 11th, the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill was signed into law to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession. Of the $1.9 trillion, $130 billion of this is going to local governments including $72 million coming to Washtenaw County. These funds are not part of the county’s general fund and must be allocated by the end of 2024. One of the recommended uses of this money is to invest in broadband infrastructure.
On Wednesday, July 7th, Washtenaw County’s Broadband Task Force, which is leading the county’s efforts to achieve countywide broadband equity by 2022, will be asking the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to allocate $14.7million (20% of the American Rescue Plan funding the County will receive) to broadband. This is the amount that it will cost to extend broadband access to all of the broadband-lacking parts of the county, including the rural parts of the Manchester area.
They need your help!
Lisa Moutinho, a member of Washtenaw County’s Broadband Task Force representing Manchester Township and a Manchester Township Trustee, explained that the broadband task force is putting out a call to action in the affected communities.
They are asking that residents email Broadband Task Force Chair Barb Fuller, barb@provide.net by July 5 and let her know you support closing the digital divide in Washtenaw County. Moutinho states, “Share your stories, your frustrations, and let her know our Board of Commissioners can be leaders in the county, the state and the country by allocating $14.7m to ensure every single household, regardless of location, has access to high speed internet. Barb will compile your notes and send them to the Board of Commissioners ”
Additionally, you may have your voice heard by phoning in to the Wednesday, July 7 Board of Commissioners meeting (Participate via Zoom: https://washtenaw.me/BOCZoom, passcode: 576150. To participate via Phone: dial 1 (312) 626-6799, webinar ID: 924 4462 0326) Moutinho explains, “You have up to three minutes to speak and encourage the commissioners to use 20% of the American Rescue Plan funding to deliver high speed internet to thousands of rural county residents.”
At least 3,317 households in Washtenaw County do not have access to the infrastructure to access the internet. A large concentration of these households are in the Manchester Area. Moutinho continues, "The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners could vote to use ARP funding and make Washtenaw County the first county in Michigan to have 100% broadband accessibility.”
In March, the U.S. Department of Treasury explained the push for spending American Rescue Plan funds on broadband infrastructure, “The COVID-19 crisis starkly illuminated key shortcomings — and inequalities — in U.S. infrastructure. While some communities were able to adapt to the pandemic with remote or socially-distanced options for work, education, and health care, others lacked the infrastructure needed to do so, compounding the disruptions of the pandemic and exacerbating existing inequalities, with long-term consequences for American families. One particularly salient infrastructure challenge has been the digital divide and the absence of foundational conditions that enable network connectivity and access. As more and more areas of work and education move online, this divide risks leaving many American families behind.”
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