An argument can be made that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure the viability of the American dream for the next several generations. This is an interview with a group of federal and state leaders who are serious about using the money effectively to optimize this long-term investment.

The discussion begins with an observation that COVID forced rural communities to realize that their children couldn’t attend school without broadband access. Broadband access also could improve telemedicine and business.

The IIJA addresses this disparity by improving broadband to rural areas.

Lee Jones from the USDA identifies the Rural Partners Network as a pioneer in connecting rural communities to foster economic growth. They help with navigating federal programs and listening to the community for guidance on projects. The IIJA will, by necessity, include information technology to manage the funding effectively. 

There will be rural participants who fear this concept and may not have the trust in the federal government that others have.  Shannon McCarthy from the State of Alaska understands these concerns and has incorporated ways to deal with this reluctance, including ways for citizens to be anonymous.

Everything involves risk, especially multi-million-dollar federal projects. One unfortunate circumstance is when COVID increased everyone’s online presence, there was a corresponding increase in cyber-attacks.  If the Rural Partners Network can help rural communities with understanding federal programs, then CISA also helps with understanding cyber risk.

Free information about preventing a cyber-attack is provided by CISA. Dr. David Mussington from CISA details the free tools that are available to understand these new attacks and ways to prevent organizations from digital-born disasters.