Congresswoman backing rural internet access bill

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack introduced a bill Thursday that encourages private broadband investors to improve internet access in rural areas like Putnam County. 

Cammack, R-Fla., said there has not been a “cohesive effort” to bring broadband internet to rural pockets. The Gigabit Opportunity Act’s goal is to motivate several service providers to offer access in these areas, which would drive down the cost, she said. 

“It’s also empowering the states – so, really taking the federal government out of it and empowering the states to designate these areas where we’re really lacking service,” Cammack said. 

The areas would be called Gigabit Opportunity Zones, and private investors could come into these zones to “help bridge the digital divide and ensure communities are no longer left behind,” Cammack said in a statement. 

She also said the Federal Communications Commission has talked for a while about the lack of broadband nationwide but has not given a complete picture. 

“The states are better equipped to handle this problem and tackle it,” Cammack said. “… I think it’s another tool in the toolbox that helps build out the full picture because there’s not going to be one technology or one service provider that comes in and saves the day, if you will. It’s going to be a suite of options.”

Businesses, residents and schools would be able to choose the type of provider needed if private investors respond to the Gigabit Opportunity Act. 

Putnam County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Harvey said Friday he had not fully read the bill but was glad to hear Cammack is helping promote broadband in Putnam. He said her assistance could only propel efforts. 

“Anytime we can get the industry to look at rural Florida and rural America is a good thing,” he said. 

But Harvey is not the only official eager to see access improve. Broadband is a topic state Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, continues to address. 

The rural broadband issue remains a project for improving education and business access, Payne said. He said the return on investment for big companies is always a major question. Payne said it was a conversation point when Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Putnam County this month. And improving broadband is a priority for the Chamber of Commerce, officials said. 

“Our broadband access in Putnam County, hopefully, will improve,” Payne said. “It’s a long-term project.”

Cammack said the next step is for the bill to go through the congressional committee process. She said she will focus on working with her colleagues on the bill’s assigned committee to get it on the docket for consideration and, hopefully, bring the Gigabit Opportunity Act to the House floor for a vote. 

“Our goal at the end of the year is to be able to show to residents of Putnam County how many people at the beginning of the year had broadband access and then at the end of the year had the opportunity to sign up for broadband,” said Cammack, who was in East Palatka on Thursday to serve as keynote speaker at the Palatka American Values Dinner. “… We want to show tangible, quantifiable results to our constituents.”

Palatka Daily News Reporter Nick Blank contributed to this story.

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