Broadband infrastructure is crucial for rural communities in today's digital economy. Broadband connects people to education, jobs, healthcare, and other essential services. But a shortage of skilled workers to build and maintain broadband infrastructure poses a significant challenge, threatening to widen the digital divide in underserved and unserved regions and limiting opportunities for economic growth and innovation in rural communities.
With an unprecedented level of federal broadband funding on its way to communities for infrastructure, there is a need to build community capacity and local labor forces to effectively leverage it. Strategically addressing the workforce shortage is essential for bridging this gap and ensuring equitable access to digital resources, empowering rural economies to compete in the global market.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania hosted a rural economic development summit to explore this important topic.
Watch the Sessions
View the program booklet and download the presentation slides.
At this one-day convening, we focused on:
- Innovative and equitable broadband infrastructure development strategies
- Opportunities to strengthen workforce pipelines and foster greater coordination among partners
- Proven solutions that have worked in communities across the country