Stauber Hosts Bipartisan House Small Business Committee Field Hearing to Investigate How Congress Can Improve Broadband Access in Rural Communities
SCANDIA, MN – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) hosted a bipartisan House Small Business Committee field hearing titled Small Businesses and their Limitations Without Reliable Access to Rural Broadband. During this hearing, Stauber heard testimony from small businesses and families lacking access to broadband and examined what could be done at the federal level to ensure every Minnesotan has access to quick and reliable broadband.
During the hearing, Stauber, who is the Ranking Member of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, was joined by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), the Chairman of the Subcommittee. He was also joined by Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02) and Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), who are both members of the House Small Business Committee.
"With quick and reliable broadband access, even the smallest towns and communities can compete with the rest of the world," said Congressman Stauber. "Unfortunately, much more needs to be done to connect communities across rural Minnesota and America to high speed Internet access. I am committed to closing the digital divide between our urban and rural communities as broadband is vital to the success of every small business, school, hospital, and family. I am thankful to be working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle on this issue. Together, we can ensure every American small business and family has access to dependable broadband."
"Lack of access to broadband is holding rural communities in America back," said Congressman Golden. "The insight we heard from Minnesota small businesses echoes what I'm hearing from small businesses in Maine. Bridging the digital divide is a bipartisan issue, and Congressman Stauber and I are working together to find solutions that bring fast, affordable internet to more rural communities in our district."
"Without reliable, high-speed broadband, rural enterprises are often at a competitive disadvantage," said Congressman Hagedorn. "Rural America has been overlooked for far too long. I'm working with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to turn that around. We must do all possible to create opportunity and sustain our Minnesota way of life."
"I came to Congress to work across the aisle and expand economic opportunity for all Minnesotans," said Congresswoman Craig. "I'm pleased to serve on the House Committee on Small Business as well as the Agriculture Committee to work to invest in broadband infrastructure and empower local governments to tailor improvements for local needs is absolutely essential for small businesses and farmers in my district. I'm proud to be working with my fellow Minnesotans on this critical issue."
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