This week, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting that Congress ensure 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 by directing the Department of the Treasury to clarify that communities can use this funding to hire personnel and purchase necessary equipment to expand and strengthen their zoning and permitting offices to contribute to the efficient deployment of broadband networks.

“Local governments play a direct role facilitating broadband upgrades and new deployments through their zoning and permitting functions.  With significant broadband funding coming to communities soon through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), many communities, particularly those in rural or underserved areas with one-person permitting offices, would benefit from additional resources to manage the expected increase in applications for broadband-related infrastructure,” the letter reads.  “Unfortunately, the IIJA grant program includes no specific resources for local permitting offices – a critical part of broadband planning and deployment.  To address this issue, I respectfully request that the Subcommittee include the following report language under the Department of Treasury account: 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for Broadband Deployment. The Committee encourages the Department to make clear that grants under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund can be used to expand and strengthen communities’ zoning and permitting offices to facilitate and expedite fixed and wireless broadband deployment. This would include the ability to use grants to hire and train employees and for the purchase of software and equipment, all of which will contribute to the expeditious deployment of fixed and wireless broadband networks.”

Last month, Congresswoman Fletcher led a separate letter to Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asking for updated guidance on how local governments can use SLRF grants.  She has also introduced the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, H.R. 5058, to help communities across the country upgrade and expand their broadband infrastructure, further demonstrating her commitment to make broadband more accessible. 

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