Infrastructure & Technology Objective

Key Points:

• Prioritize middle mile and last mile infrastructure investments
• Implement grant programs focused on unserved and underserved communities
• Engage in partnerships with internet service providers, local governments, state agencies, and experts
• Promote Dig Once principles and Right of Way policies

Small Business Perspective:

The complete absence of initiatives targeting small businesses in this objective is particularly troubling given the scale of investment. The failure to include even basic support programs or guidance for small businesses to leverage new connectivity suggests a fundamental disconnect between the infrastructure plans and the needs of rural small businesses.

Big Business Perspective:

The infrastructure and technology objective appears to be primarily about spending federal money in a way that benefits large telecommunications companies and corporations. 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.

Rural Impact:

While improved broadband infrastructure could potentially benefit rural communities, the lack of focus on local business development risks turning these areas into digital ghost towns. The influx of high-speed internet without corresponding support for local entrepreneurship may accelerate the trend of rural areas becoming bedroom communities for remote workers, rather than fostering diverse local economies. Additionally, the plan fails to address how this improved infrastructure will be made affordable and accessible to all rural Idahoans, potentially exacerbating existing digital divides within rural communities.