Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after introducing H.R. 5486 Broadband for Small Ports Act, along with Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR):
“In rural coastal areas people congregate near inland and small ports. These harbors act as hubs for commerce and tourism. This bill recognizes the importance of small ports to their rural economies. It will help small ports nationwide get federal loans and grants and improve their broadband coverage, thereby enabling working-waterfronts to order inventory and coordinate deliveries, access real-time weather updates and grow economically.
“Broadband loan and grant applications submitted to the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service (RUS) are assigned different levels of priority before they are awarded. This bill recognizes the importance of small ports and elevates the priority of applications seeking to boost internet capacity. This bill states that broadband loan and grant applications from small ports will be considered equal in priority to applications that are developed with the participation of a non-profit or philanthropic organization.
“In rural America, small ports often support communities. Broadband internet is very important to small ports as it can improve commerce and safety. Broadband internet is equally valuable for coastal fishing communities and inland barge grain-shipments. Additionally, Army Corp dredging activities can use local broadband to operate with more precision and efficiency.
“I want to thank Senator Ron Wyden who has introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate and Reps. Yoho and Gonzalez Colon who are original co-sponsors here in the House. This important bill intends to elevate the importance of small ports transiting less than 1 million tons of cargo annually.”
