Senator Gillibrand, speaking at a recent event at Westelcom in Watertown, said the bipartisan Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Act would help close the broadband gap in rural areas to help ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high-speed internet.
Assemblywoman Russell said the legislation is critical for the growth of the North Country.
"We need broadband to be able to compete. We need to make sure everyone has access, and because it is costly, we need programs targeted to rural areas like the North Country to make it more affordable," she noted.
"I commend Senator Gillibrand for her persistent focus on addressing these disparities in rural areas of our country. This program would help put the North Country on equal footing with the rest of the country," Assemblywoman Russell added.
"This will allow our small businesses to flourish, allow businesses in the high-tech industry to locate here and enjoy the beauty of the region, and provide the access our kids need to be fluent in the technology of today and tomorrow," she said.
The Gillibrand legislation would expand resources available for building high-speed broadband infrastructure by creating a new program to combine grants and loans to help finance projects serving rural and tribal areas.
The act would allow for federal grants of up to 50 percent of a project's cost, and up to 75 percent for remote, high-needs areas, to be awarded in combination with loan funding already available through the federal Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Tommy Stiansen, co-founder and chief technology officer of Norse Corp., discusses his cybersecurity firm's operation at Westelcom in Watertown with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, front left; Paul F. Barton, president and general manager of Westelcom Family of Companies, back row left, and Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, back row right.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gilliband (at podium) talks about legislation she has co-sponsored, the Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act, during a recent stop at Westelcom in Watertown. She is shown with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (l) and David Wolf, technology division manager for the Development Authority of the North Country.
Kevin Lynch, vice president for Technical Operations for the Nicholville Telephone Company (at podium), said new funding initiatives like the legislation sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand would further bridge the broadband gap. Pictured are (l-r): Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, Watertown Mayor Joseph Butler Jr., Mr. Lynch and Senator Gillibrand.
Christopher Thompson, director of Economic Development for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council (at podium), said a broadband bill sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand would increase access to the resources need to expand the service to unserved rural areas. Pictured are (l-r): Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, Watertown Mayor Joseph Butler Jr., Mr. Thompson and Senator Gillibrand.
Donald Cerasoli, president of Citizens Telephone Company, Hammond, said providers need grant funding to be able to expand affordable broadband services to rural areas, Pictured are (l-r): Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, Watertown Mayor Joseph Butler Jr., Mr. Ceasoli and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell checks out a real time map showig cyber attacks being carried out around the world.
