Rep. Joyce Hosts Bipartisan Field Hearing on Rural Broadband Access in Gettysburg

Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Republican Leader of the Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship, today hosted a field hearing on "Harvesting the Digital Age: Connecting our Communities for a Better Future" with Chairwoman Abby Finkenauer (Iowa-1). This afternoon's hearing, which examined the need for broadband access in rural communities, was held at the Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

"In the 21st century, access to technology is synonymous with success. In Pennsylvania, more than 800,000 people live without reliable access to the internet," said Congressman Joyce. "Today's hearing was an important opportunity for Pennsylvanians to share their firsthand challenges to access rural broadband. This issue connects Americans in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and throughout our nation. As the Republican Leader of a subcommittee addressing rural development, I am committed to working alongside Chairwoman Finkenauer to develop bipartisan solutions that will never allow rural communities to fall behind."

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"The majority of the region is rural, and many parts lack adequate broadband connectivity and cellular service," said Brandon Carson, Director, Planning andamp; Community Development Divisions of Southern Alleghenies Planning andamp; Development Commission. "When interviewing businesses located in the parks about their existing broadband services, it was evident that there were real concerns about the reliability and affordability of the current services available to them."

"Infrastructure is the foundation of economic development," said L. Michael Ross, President of Franklin County Area Development Corporation. "Retaining, attracting, and/or supporting the start-up of quality employers requires the availability of a full range of public utilities, including telecommunications and broadband technology. I have often remarked that economic development is not possible unless you can flush a toilet. The same can be true for broadband internet. Broadband needs to be considered part of our national public infrastructure, just like roads, water, sewer, ports, airports, rail networks, and a reliable electric grid."

"In our community, a lack of equitable access to digital resources is a harsh reality," said Anthony Angelini, Social Studies Teacher at New Oxford Middle School, Conewago Valley School District. "We have students that, once they leave school, do not have internet access at home. I have heard this described as the "homework gap." Without internet access at home, those students face significant academic consequences."

"Today, broadband is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity," said Brock Widerman, President of the Adams County Farm Bureau. "Many of the latest yield-maximizing farming techniques require broadband connections for data collection and analysis performed both on the farm and in remote data centers. Farmers are embracing technology that allows their farming businesses to be more efficient, economical. and environmentally-responsible."

Background:
Congressman Joyce serves as the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship. Find more information about today's hearing here.

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