Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) led a letter to Secretary of the Department of the Treasury Janet Yellen requesting further guidance on how local governments can use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLRF) grants to expand broadband infrastructure and deployment in their communities.  The letter asks for clarification in SLRF guidance to assure communities they can use this funding to expand and strengthen their zoning and permitting offices to contribute to the efficient deployment of broadband networks.

“Local governments play a critical and direct role in facilitating broadband upgrades and new deployments through their zoning and permitting functions,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “We must provide them with the resources, guidance, and flexibility needed to ensure they can help connect workers to jobs, students to schools, patients to health care providers, and people to one another as we work together to bridge the digital divide.”

In addition to the letter, Congresswoman Fletcher also introduced H.R. 5058, the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act this Congress to help communities across the country upgrade and expand their broadband infrastructure.  Over the past decade, Congress has invested $12 billion for communities to deploy broadband, and as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $65 billion for broadband funding is distributed, local governments will need support navigating the expected increase in permitting applications for these projects.  Congresswoman Fletcher’s Broadband Incentives for Communities Act creates a grant program to provide local and state governments with the resources and flexibility necessary to navigate the process successfully.

To view the full text of the letter, click here.