Conclusion

The analysis of Idaho's broadband plans reveals a troubling disconnect between the substantial financial investment and the lack of concrete strategies to benefit rural Idaho and small businesses. The absence of even token initiatives for small business support in these plans suggests that rural small businesses are entirely outside the strategic vision of Idaho's broadband development.

The emphasis on large-scale infrastructure projects without corresponding plans for local utilization suggests that the primary goal is to create a conducive environment for big business rather than to foster local economic development. This approach risks turning rural Idaho into a digital highway without vehicles to travel it, potentially exacerbating economic disparities and altering the character of rural communities without creating meaningful local opportunities.

The vague nature of many objectives, particularly around economic development and applications like telehealth, suggests a lack of serious planning. Given the substantial investment of both state and federal funds, the failure to provide concrete strategies for leveraging broadband to support local businesses and create sustainable economic opportunities in rural areas is a significant oversight.

In conclusion, Idaho's current broadband strategy appears to be more about spending federal money and attracting big business than about nurturing the growth and sustainability of local small businesses that form the backbone of rural economies. This approach risks turning rural Idaho into a source of cheap labor for out-of-state corporations rather than fostering local entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development. The strategy's failure to address how local businesses can be protected and nurtured in this new, highly connected environment represents a missed opportunity of staggering proportions that could have long-lasting negative impacts on rural Idaho's economic future. Furthermore, the lack of consideration for how this massive broadband investment will concretely improve the lives of ordinary rural Idahoans - beyond vague promises of improved connectivity - raises serious questions about who the true beneficiaries of this program will be.