WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, released the following statement on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) announcement of the next steps in Vermont’s Internet for All program. Vermont will receive nearly $230 million to deploy high-speed, affordable internet across Vermont through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 

“High-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. But right now, there are more than 33,000 homes, small businesses and farms in Vermont that don’t have access to a high-speed connection and are being left behind in the digital transformation. Thanks to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – which I was proud to help pass – Vermont is on its way to accessing nearly $230 million to build out broadband across the state. This will connect rural communities and ensure all Vermonters have access to the technology, skills and tools needed to participate in today’s digital economy,” said Senator Welch. “Today’s announcement by the NTIA and the Department of Commerce is welcome and exciting news and is a step forward in our coordinated effort to get Vermont connected.” 

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