February 15, 2024

In a compelling press conference urging for Congressional support of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, CSAC First Vice President and Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths emphasized the indispensable role of technology in our daily lives, highlighting its transformative impact on local economies. The press conference took place Tuesday, February 13, on Capitol Hill.

Griffiths, alongside Representatives Marc Molinaro (New York), Norma Torres (California), Debbie Dingell (Michigan) and fellow National Association of Counties (NACo) members, First Vice President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore and Cook County, Illinois Commissioner Monica Gordon, underscored the shift from technology being a luxury to becoming a fundamental component of our society.

Inyo County, sprawling over 10,000 square miles from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney on the Sierra Crest, faces unique challenges with distances measured in hours, making access to services in urban areas expensive and often unattainable. Griffiths painted a vivid picture of families relying on the internet for essential telehealth services and educational access, and small local businesses leveraging digital tools to expand their economic impact.

Broadband is now being recognized as essential infrastructure. Despite this recognition, Griffiths noted, broadband accessibility remains a substantial challenge in remote desert and mountain communities, where building the necessary infrastructure is both difficult and expensive.

Expanding broadband access in rural areas serves as a catalyst for positive economic and social outcomes. Griffiths highlighted the ripple effect, encompassing improved amenities, digital skills, online education, and job search opportunities. Broadband, he argued, goes beyond mere connectivity, influencing various social determinants of health, economic stability, education, social support, and civic agency.

In areas where travel to public meetings can take hours and reaching the state capital may be impossible in winter, remote participation facilitated by broadband has empowered citizens, providing them with a greater voice in government. Broadband, Griffiths asserted, has become an intrinsic force shaping collective health and equity outcomes in communities.

Closing his address, Griffiths emphasized the Affordable Connectivity Program’s crucial role as a backbone of support for rural communities, low-income individuals, communities of color, and tribal nations facing the highest barriers to broadband access. He warned against the potential loss of the program, stating that it would not only impede progress but exacerbate disparities and further marginalize communities. The call to action was clear – to safeguard and champion initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program for an inclusive and connected future.