Lawmakers, Witnesses See Small Biz Broadband Needs

摘要

The ongoing talks about a large infrastructure bill that could include tens of billions of dollars for expanding broadband access is an opportunity to provide a boost to small businesses in rural areas that have struggled to transition their operations online during the pandemic, lawmakers and witnesses said during a June 16 hearing before the Small Business subcommittee on underserved, agricultural, and rural development. "Unfortunately, small businesses without reliable broadband access proved to be at a significant disadvantage when it came to this digital transition," subcommittee Chairman Jared Golden (D., Maine) said, noting that inadequate or nonexistent broadband access was an issue for many prior to the pandemic.