Wittman to Host Broadband Roundtable in Warsaw

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today announced that he will host a Broadband Roundtable in Warsaw, Virginia, at the Rappahannock Community College Lecture Hall on April 20, 2012 from 10 a.m. to noon. Wittman, stakeholders and interested citizens will join together to discuss the broadband and technology needs of localities in rural areas, as well as ways stakeholders can best position their broadband initiatives to apply for and receive federal and/or state funding. The forum is also an opportunity for local communities to be informed about the status of federal loan and grant programs and broadband deployment initiatives in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The public is invited to attend.

"Broadband access is crucial to economic development, job creation, education and quality of life, and this event aims to bring folks together to further discuss broadband development in local communities who need it," Wittman said. "Local communities can work with federal partners to enhance opportunities to further develop broadband in underserved areas."

Roundtable participants will include Broadband Authorities, County Administrators from the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, regional Planning District Commission directors and staff, local economic development authority staff and other stakeholders involved in rural broadband initiatives. Representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, USDA Rural Utilities Service, the Virginia Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance, and the Virginia Broadband Advisory Council are also invited to join in discussion of ongoing initiatives in their organizations. Confirmed speakers include:

Administrator Jonathan Adelstein, USDA Rural Utilities Service;

Mr. Doug Kinkoph, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Director; and,

Ms. Karen Jackson, Director, Virginia Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

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