WIN FOR VIRGINIA: Governor Northam's Broadband Initiative Gains Wide Praise
A worthy project: internet to all of Virginia (The Virginian-Pilot)
Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement of a new broadband initiative for rural areas of Virginia comes as welcome, if overdue, news. In this age when so much depends upon high-tech communication, communities and individuals without reliable internet service suffer in a variety of ways.....
With increased resources and leadership — Evan Feinman, the executive director of the Tobacco Commission, will be chief broadband adviser, and Courtney Dozier with the department of Housing and Community Development will be chief deputy — the project should soon start producing results.
Northam pledged that a plan will be developed to get broadband to “every single Virginian as soon as possible.”
Making broadband internet service available to everyone, in every region, could do a lot to improve lives and make communities and the state stronger.
The Laurel Grove Volunteer Fire Department was packed with Danville-area leadersMonday as Gov. Ralph Northam arrived to announce a new broadband initiative to improve internet services in rural areas.
Having internet access in the schools is especially important, Northam said.
“Our children work on computers at schools, and if they don’t have one at home, their hands are tied,” Northam said.
Governor visits county, talks broadband (Chatham Star-Tribune)
“We want business to grow. In 2018, if you don’t have internet access your hands are tied,” Northam said noting he grew up in rural Virginia and understood the problems facing the area.
For the Commonwealth, Northam hopes by the end of his term a large portion of Virginia has broadband access.
“It’s going to take Richmond, the private sector, and you to make this happen,” Northam said in closing.
The governor says he wants the entire state to have broadband access as soon as possible.
“In 2018, if you don’t have access to the internet your hands are tied," says Governor Ralph Northam.
Governor Ralph Northam says it’s a major problem that many areas of Virginia don’t have access to broadband internet.
Governor touts rural internet initiative, appoints two to council (Gazette-Virginian)
Hoping to provide broadband to all Virginians within the decade, Gov. Ralph Northam appointed two individuals to serve on a broadband advisory council on Monday.
“I would like to tell you today, we will have universal broadband at the end of my administration in three and a half years, but we’re at least going to be well on our way,” said Northam.