Washington, DC —Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that he was once again selected to join the House Rural Broadband Task Force for the 117th Congress. The House Rural Broadband Task Force works to eliminate digital deserts and expand rural broadband access.

“I’m proud to once again be a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force for the 117th Congress,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “The internet has fundamentally changed the way we work, communicate, learn, and conduct business. It’s critical that we ensure communities across Wisconsin, particularly in our rural areas, have access to affordable and high-speed broadband. As a member of this task force, I will continue to work towards finding solutions to close the rural-digital divide for all Wisconsinites.”

Rep. Kind’s rural broadband priorities for the 117th Congress include:

  • Ensuring access to high-speed internet for rural communities
  • Providing more funding opportunities and support for cooperatives
  • Increasing oversight to ensure companies that are awarded federal dollars are providing adequate service to consumers

Wisconsin ranks 36th of America’s most connected states, with 1/5 of the state’s population considered “underserved” or with limited access to high-speed internet. Over 899,000 people in Wisconsin have access to only one internet provider, with nearly 200,000 people living in communities without any wired internet providers.

Rep. Kind has been a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force since it was created in 2019, and has continuously supported legislation to expand broadband access for all Wisconsinites.

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