The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) intends to modernize, secure, and transform our nation’s most critical sectors, e.g., the Transportation, Energy, Water/Wastewater, Manufacturing, Food and Agriculture, Communications, Manufacturing, Dams, Defense Industrial Base, to name a few. In short, the very things we depend on for our livelihood…..for our humanity.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines these sectors (16 in total) as “… sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.” Pretty powerful, if I may say so.
Opportunity Knocking
The digitization of our global community, combined with our dependence and thirst for expanded capabilities, introduces risk and potential. Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, 5G, IoT ….. these are buzzwords that mean many things to many people AND ultimately require surgical implementation. However, not everyone benefits equally.
Unfortunately, our country is in the midst of a digital divide. And arguably, the most critical component to closing this chasm is advanced communications. The BIL’s $65 billion broadband investment seeks to remedy this situation via programs such as:
Facts Tell
Not-Fun Fact: it has been reported that 30+ million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds – which is felt mostly within our rural communities. Come on, man?!?! It’s 2022 ?!?!
Optimistic Fact: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural eConnectivity Program plans to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas, expand broadband services, and enable long-term economic development. We’re talking Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband
In fact, a funding opportunity remains open through (through Nov. 2nd), with $1,926,000,000 there for the taking.
Net Net ….. tune in on Monday, October 31, 2022, to learn more 💯
Pete Tseronis is the Founder and CEO of Dots and Bridges LLC, a Villanova University alum, and a certified Bourbon Steward.
