Congressman Jimmy Panetta talks broadband expansion at Closter Park
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Salinas families impacted by the digital divide will soon get a helping hand thanks to a trillion-dollar federal infrastructure package.
On Wednesday, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) discussed improvements to the city's broadband infrastructure during a news conference at Closter Park.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $65 billion to ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet, which became critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salinas will benefit from the federal funding.
"(Internet accessibility) is one of our biggest issues we have been addressing since COVID hit," Mayor Kimbley Craig said. "We do have a digital divide here in our community. It's fascinating to me that our county has such great wealth and such great poverty in one community."
Since the onset of the pandemic, the city has been working to bring as much internet accessibility to families as possible, Craig said.
"Broadband is absolutely critical to the success of our children, the success of our businesses, our families and to our community," she said.
Monterey County has already taken advantage of other federal funding opportunities for broadband expansion, such as using $1.9 million in American Rescue Plan funds for areas where there is no internet or very poor broadband service.
Congress passed the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act in November. In addition to broadband infrastructure, the bill is expected to bring billions of dollars to improve California roads, railways, bridges, ports, electrical grid, and water infrastructure.
"This is an absolutely historic investment, in broadband, in our community," Panetta said on Wednesday. "For far too long Republican and Democrats have talked about broadband needs throughout this country.
"... It is an example of how the federal government can work for us," he added.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Congressman Jimmy Panetta talks broadband access at Closter Park
