This week’s Open Mic guest is Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. Washington has directed a large sum of funds to close the digital divide between urban and rural residents and adequate broadband coverage, but there’s no single agency working to coordinate efforts across the government. Bloomfield reports progress in many areas, but a process of red tape that sometimes stands in the way of major accomplishments toward expanded coverage. Labor and supply chain issues are also providing obstacles to expanded coverage in many areas of the country. Managing the expectations of the underserved remains a challenge for the industry.