If we've learned anything in the past few years, it's that technology is becoming more and more necessary for work, school and even healthcare.
With rural areas across Idaho having limited internet access, the state is looking to invest in more accessibility.
Eric Forsch, Broadband Development Manager with the Idaho Department of Commerce, says he would like to continue building off of the progress they have already made.
"I think building off the work that we've already done has already been a momentous achievement of integrated success," Forsch said. "The stories that I hear across Idaho about the difference this is already making in people's lives."
Forsch works to connect broadband providers to help improve infrastructure here in Idaho. He also works with communities to determine what kind of broadband connections works best.
Some funds made available for those projects will be allocated through the broadband advisory committee. $225 million in funds are made available through federal covid relief funds and federal infrastructure funds. A plan to use these will be put in place over the next five years.
"There are areas all across Idaho that really need better broadband infrastructure," Forsch said.
The five year plan hasn't been published yet, but once the funds are allocated, the process to create the infrastructure can take different routes.
"The way infrastructure works is that you're basically building up these digital roads everywhere," Forsch said. "So you do want to make sure you have enough capacity to build these roads out to more rural areas and then you build to those side streets to the homes."
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwrtGomJ2akaOxbrXNZqCdmZik