In this podcast, Chris Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance interviews NC Broadband Matters Board members Doug Dawson (CCG) and Catharine Rice (CLIC & Broadband-Matters) who provide insights on how to be effective in accessing the billions of dollars being unleashed for broadband deployment and digital equity. Their advice includes: Recognize there is a lot of misinformation out there so do your homework –now is the time to understand the broadband characteristics of your community; utilize your state officials (contact them, they work for you), and if your state is choosing to pinch off how funds can be used, go after the federal funds directly with a willing partner. Finally, seek out funding avenues that provide the most local control and the least amount of competition for those funds. Focus on those local ARPA funds now where the widest birth of use is allowed (deadline for fund obligation: December 31, 2024.) There are many creative angles for localities to use if you take the time to know your own community needs and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
