FFB Week 39 - Permitting Success Strategies for ISPs and Local Governments

We are at a critical moment when broadband infrastructure funding is at an all-time high due to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program —the single largest broadband program in U.S. history. This historic level of funding creates an opportunity to bring high-speed internet access to every community in America and close the digital divide.

Historic levels of funding will accelerate broadband network construction, putting enormous pressure on local governments responsible for permitting infrastructure construction within municipal boundaries. These processes take time and resources, and not every government is equipped for the coming wave of construction. This is especially true in rural areas, where municipal resources are lowest and BEAD activity will be highest.

Effective and efficient permitting processes are critical for ISPs and local governments to successfully deploy broadband networks that will give every American community modern connectivity. Permitting Success Strategies for ISPs and Local Governments a paper offering solutions for permitting was published on September 4, 2024 by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Please join the author of the paper and permitting experts who will discuss the paper and its content.

Special Guests:

• Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• Ian Linssen, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Mesa
• Bailey Edenburn, Manager, Champaign County Farm Bureau
• Carsi Mitzner, Government Affairs Director, Brightspeed
• Jill Springer, Chief Environmental Review & Permitting Officer, NTIA