Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, access to reliable, affordable broadband has evolved from a mere luxury to a critical lifeline for rural communities. It serves as the gateway to essential resources like online education and telehealth, but many remote areas continue to grapple with substantial challenges to unlocking these opportunities.
Rural broadband connectivity is developing rapidly. With changing climate and weather patterns, how can communities ensure the durability and longevity of this important infrastructure?
Climate resilience is one crucial way.
With the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) facing the imminent end of its funding this month due to Congress not securing further allocations, rural community members across the United States are at risk of losing their lifeline to connectivity. States anxiously await updates from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the status of their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programs, and the absence of ACP funding only exacerbates the challenges faced by underserved rural populations.
The monthly Speaker Series takes place on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Join the RuralRISE community for presentations and community updates. Register here.