Roanoke, VA – Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. joined 65 other city and county leaders on a letter about the importance of including broadband in any plan to improve the country’s infrastructure, which was sent to President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and House Speaker Ryan. Mayor Lea joined elected officials from across the nation to demonstrate the widespread support at the community level for the deployment of high-speed, reliable internet access as federal discussions continue about a national infrastructure plan.
"Broadband access has become an essential component of community infrastructure in the 21st Century,” stated Mayor Lea. “The City of Roanoke, working with Roanoke County and the City of Salem, has made expanding broadband availability a local priority through the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority. By signing this letter with my fellow mayors, I want to make sure that broadband access also becomes a national infrastructure priority."
Including Roanoke, Va., the 65 signers of the letter together represent nearly 16 million Americans. The letter was led by Next Century Cities, a bipartisan organization of mayors and city leaders focused on ensuring fast, affordable, and reliable internet access for all Americans. See the full letter here:
“As mayors and municipal officials, we have each championed access for our residents to high-quality broadband in ways that are right for our communities,” the letter stated. “We are eager to have the federal government take steps in an infrastructure package that will truly increase internet access for millions of Americans, and do so in ways that recognize the importance of local leaders in making these lofty plans a reality in our towns and cities across America.”
The letter recommended three key broadband priorities for any federal infrastructure plan: access, affordability, and local solutions for connectivity. It also emphasized that the internet is nonpartisan, and that federal leaders should work together across party lines to promote the deployment of next-generation broadband.
For more information, please contact Wayne Bowers, Director of Economic Development, at [email protected] or 540-853-5831.
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