Board of Supervisors resolution in support of Broadband
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
Broadband as a Universal Service
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors is committed to advocating for the broadband connectivity of its citizens and businesses in the County; and,
WHEREAS, the Board has studied the issue of broadband connectivity in the County and created the Botetourt County Broadband Commission to more directly seek solutions to the problems of increasing rural connectivity with fiber to the home and increasing affordability and speed with competition and creative problem solving; and,
WHEREAS, Botetourt County hosted a Broadband Summit in 2018 in order to bring together regional, state, and national thought leaders, policy makers, and providers to learn about the cutting edge of broadband development trends and to devise solutions that could be implemented in the County; and,
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes and champions the fact that broadband is a requirement for K-12 and higher education, telemedicine, telehealth, remote work, business continuity, public safety, and myriad other vital services in the 21st century; and,
WHEREAS, the Board foresees that the availability of broadband will have major impacts on local economies where winners and losers will be determined by people’s ability to have broadband at home and to work and learn in their communities; and,
WHEREAS, broadband is not a luxury to be viewed as a mere option but is necessary in order for people and businesses to fully integrate into the modern economy; and,
WHEREAS, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 laid the groundwork for the Federal Communications Commission to create the Universal Service Fund to promote universal access to telecommunications services in the United States; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors urges Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to classify broadband as a universal service minimum of 25/3 and provide the necessary support to states and localities in order to implement broadband deployment strategies more effectively; and,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board asks the General Assembly and the Governor’s administration to work toward the similar goal of having broadband classified as a universal service; and,
BE IT RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the County’s federal and state legislative representatives and Governor Northam.
-submitted by Cody Sexton, Botetourt County
