Rural Broadband Archives — Madison County Democratic Committee

Excerpted from the CHATHAM STAR-TRIBUNE

Virginia’s 5th Congressional District is a large, diverse region that represents bustling, affluent communities to the north, which sharply contrast with areas to the south that have suffered considerable losses and high unemployment with the decline in tobacco farming and the closing of furniture and textile industries.

An estimated 283,860 people in Virginia’s 5th District are without broadband Internet service. Many of us take this technology for granted. However, those without broadband do not have valuable access to basic information, telemedicine, emergency services, and online job searches. Education is designed to prepare our children for the future, but students who do not have Internet access at home will surely struggle to succeed in school and beyond.

Jane Dittmar, realizing the current congressman was not addressing such problems, decided to run for this office so she could apply her energy, experience, and knowledge to serving, not just some of the economic, political, and social groups in the 5th District, but everyone of every age who lives here.

Jane Dittmar has a vision for the 5th District to connect all of its people to each other and to federal resources, modern infrastructure, and access to affordable broadband service that will greatly improve the ability to get a proper education and search for employment.

CHARLOTTESVILLE (June 14, 2016) — The United States Court of Appeals today ruled that high-speed internet service can be defined as a utility. This decision signals a shift in understanding that internet is no longer a luxury but must be accessible to all Americans.

Dittmar has been working doggedly to expand affordable and reliable internet access throughout Virginia’s 5^th District. Once elected, Dittmar plans to secure federal grants and foster public-private investment partnerships to increase internet infrastructure development in the 5^th.

“Today’s impressive legal finding will ensure that every citizen has access to the necessary tools they need to get a quality education and a good job,” Dittmar said. “The next step will be to create the basic infrastructure required to make this ruling a reality. I look forward to doing just that for all the citizens of the 5^th District. We all agree that everyone deserves the same access to the essentials such as water and electricity. Today, our country has officially acknowledged that access to the internet is no longer a luxury.”

For months, the Dittmar campaign has traveled to each of the 23 localities in the district learning about the needs of the citizens of the 5^th District. Astonishingly large portions of the district do not have access to reliable, affordable internet, and residents are eager to have the same opportunities as their fellow citizens. In our modern world, job searches, online workforce training and certifications, business expansion, tax preparation, our children’s homework, and so much more require access to the internet. Today’s ruling brings us one step closer to making sure that every person in our country has this necessary tool for job creation and growth.

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Genevieve Cox
434.466.7496
genni@janeforcongress.com

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Dittmar has vision for 5th District

Dittmar Campaign Celebrates Court Decision on Broadband

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