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A bill to remove barriers for communities seeking to use Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to develop high-speed broadband access was introduced in the House of Representatives today.

The Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act was re-introduced for the 118^th Congress by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Rep. Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR), Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS).  The bill removes hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment.  It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements. 

“Increasing numbers of Americans are regularly working, buying food and supplies, and receiving critical medical care without leaving their homes, thanks to high-speed broadband.  These services and abilities have become critical for many businesses and job creators.  Unfortunately, too many of our communities, particularly in rural America, still lack broadband access.  In some cases, just completing that ‘last mile’ is what stands in the way of connecting people to a job they need,” Graves said.  “The E-BRIDGE Act will help spur projects that attract jobs and businesses to expand economic development and opportunity in rural and poor communities.”

“In rural areas and disadvantaged communities across the nation, the opportunities for business development, distance education, remote work and telemedicine are limited by the challenges to access high-speed connections in these homes, small businesses and community institutions,” said González Colón.  “E-BRIDGE will be important to reduce the gap between these and more developed urban centers.  Especially in communities that face disaster recovery like in Puerto Rico, where we need to be able to rebuild our networks for greater resiliency.” 

“For America to thrive, people in rural America must thrive,” said Mann.  “We all rely on high-speed broadband for both our personal and professional lives, and communities making investments in their own rural broadband access shouldn’t have to deal with mountains of red tape while they do it.  The E-BRIDGE Act will help rural communities bolster their own economic vitality and strengthen their connection to one another and the world.”

“The E-BRIDGE Act would implement modern approaches to economic development and create new opportunities for individuals to work, attend school, socialize, and access healthcare in every corner of our country,” Guest said.  “This legislation is a strong step towards meeting the goal of ending the digital divide and delivering broadband to every American community.  I’d like to thank Chairman Graves and the Members on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their continued leadership on this important piece of legislation that would eliminate hurdles and leverage Economic Development Administration dollars to invest in broadband deployment across America's communities.”

By helping to increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities, the E-BRIDGE Act will help: