Our Broadband Breakfast Live Online events take place on Wednesday at 12 Noon ET. Watch the event on Broadband Breakfast, or REGISTER HERE to join the conversation.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 12 Noon ET – How State Broadband Offices Are Approaching the Next Phase of IIJA

For the past year, state broadband offices have been hard at work to prepare for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Now that a key map challenge deadline has passed — for better or for worse — what are states focusing on in order to maximize the amount and impact of their federal broadband funding? Which states have come out ahead in BEAD funding allocation, and which are struggling? What other IIJA programs and projects are states working on, and what are the biggest hurdles to their completion?

Panelists

• Thomas Tyler, Deputy Director of ConnectLA
• Andrew Butcher, President, Maine Connectivity Authority
• Rebecca Dilg, Director, Utah Broadband Center
• Drew Clark (moderator), Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Panelist resources

• States must not succumb to defeatism on broadband data and mapping, Broadband.Money, February 10, 2023

Thomas Tyler, deputy director of ConnectLA, has experience in technology strategy, cybersecurity concerns, economic development and public policy disciplines. Throughout the past 13 years, he has operated in a variety of roles supporting public and private entities. Most recently, he served as a consultant and adviser for one of the nation’s leading cybersecurity and technology advisory practices. Thomas’ experience includes providing information security and technology strategy, consulting and training services to a variety of clients.

Andrew Butcher is the inaugural president of The Maine Connectivity Authority a new quasi-governmental agency serving as the primary entity charged with achieving universal access of affordable high-speed broadband in the state of Maine. By balancing investments in projects, places and people MCA is advancing digital equity for all.  Butcher has over 15 years in community and economic development, social entrepreneurship and connected infrastructure. Prior to his role at MCA he founded an internationally recognized non-profit, served as director of the Maine Broadband Coalition and helped advance numerous innovation and resilience initiatives in Maine.

Rebecca Dilg is the director of the Utah Broadband Center within the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Her role is to facilitate connecting households and businesses across the state to high-speed internet. She works with key stakeholders across the state to convene resources, educate, and administer funds in a joint effort to ensure every Utahn has access to the digital world.

Drew Clark (moderator) is CEO of Breakfast Media LLC. He has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing campaign for broadband data. As Editor and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media company advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.

Graphic by Creativa Images/Adobe Stock, used with permission

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