Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said the federal government has made little progress in connecting Americans to high-speed internet through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. He pointed out that despite $42.45 billion being allocated to the program in 2021, Ohio has yet to receive any promised funding.

“How’s the Federal effort going to connect America to high-speed Internet?” Husted wrote in an Oct. 4 social media post on X. “Congress provided the Biden Administration with $42.45B for the BEAD program in Nov. 2021. So far, not a single person in the US has been connected to the internet with this funding. Ohio has not received a penny of what we were promised.”

“The federal bureaucracy takes our money, straps rules and regulations to it, sends it back, and acts like they did us a favor,” Husted continued. “During this same period, Elon Musk has provided the same service via Starlink to most of the world.”

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a federal initiative launched by the NTIA to close the digital divide by ensuring that all Americans, particularly those in underserved and rural areas, have access to high-speed internet. The program allocates $42.45 billion to support broadband infrastructure development, focusing on unserved regions. Each state and U.S. territory receives funds to implement broadband projects, promoting universal access and affordability while also addressing digital literacy, skills training, and community engagement.

Beyond infrastructure, BEAD also emphasizes digital inclusion by providing resources for training and workforce development in broadband technology. This holistic approach seeks to improve both the availability and use of high-speed internet, especially in communities historically left behind in the digital economy. By funding broadband adoption programs and expanding access to online services, the program aims to reduce disparities in internet access and improve economic opportunities, healthcare access, and education outcomes across the country.

According to his official bio page, Jon Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County. He grew up with a strong foundation in faith, family, and hard work. After excelling as an All-American defensive back and earning advanced degrees from the University of Dayton, Husted contributed to economic development as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce.                     

Husted's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by significant improvements in business processes, including reducing start-up costs and eliminating office fees, saving taxpayers millions. As House Speaker, he championed Ohio’s most conservative budget in decades with a historic income tax cut. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Husted continues to balance his public service with his roles as a husband to his wife Tina and father to their three children.