At NTCA, our mission has always been to empower rural communities through advanced, high-quality broadband connectivity. But to truly make a lasting impact, it's not just about the infrastructure or technology, it's about the people our member companies serve. It's about the partnerships and friendships we build across the rural ecosystem, uniting a diverse group of stakeholders who share the same vision of a connected future for all, with a biased eye towards ensuring that rural Americas are not forgotten.
Former President Harry Truman once said, “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” While I am all about having a furry face to come home to, I think there are important friendships that can be crafted with those you don’t need to throw a tennis ball to 50 times in a row! And that’s just what we did on November 7, as we gathered for a lunch-and-learn opportunity with key stakeholders based here in the Washington, D.C., area, primarily from the agriculture community. We reflected together on the importance of collaboration and how broadband policy affects everyone. From local service providers to state and federal policymakers, from agricultural associations to community leaders, the road to expanding rural broadband is a team effort. By forming lasting partnerships, we can overcome the unique challenges that rural areas face – whether it’s geographical isolation, funding hurdles or regulatory barriers – to find creative solutions that work for the communities we serve.
We know that broadband is more than just a service; it's critical infrastructure that empowers agriculture, education, healthcare, economic development and so much more. We must continue to foster relationships with organizations and stakeholders that share our commitment to rural prosperity.
Our November luncheon, and our outreach efforts as a whole, are a reminder that we’re not just building networks of fiber and wires; we’re building networks of support, trust and shared goals. When we unite across industry lines, we have the strength to advocate for meaningful change at both the state and federal levels. That is one of the reasons we have added Jackson Hoppe to our team as our new outreach coordinator. A recent college graduate who hails from the great state of Tennessee, we have tasked Jackson with reaching out, making friends and connections and telling the story of rural broadband and all it does to improve lives and the rural economy. We’re excited to have Jackson on the team and I look forward to seeing how many “dots” he can connect in the months ahead.
A recent economic study conducted by the Center On Rural Innovation, and supported by NTCA, Calix and the Fiber Broadband Association, showed us the hard data on why broadband matters. Rural counties with robust broadband and a high adoption rate saw a 213% increase in business growth, 10% higher self-employment and 44% higher gross domestic product. Those are telling metrics.
The relationships we cultivate today will shape the broadband landscape of tomorrow. Whether it’s working with diverse rural stakeholders to bring new solutions to the table or collaborating with government agencies to secure funding and policy support, these connections are critical to ensuring rural communities can thrive in an increasingly digital world.