Underground Construction - September 2021 - 6

EDITOR'S LOG
Robert Carpenter | Editor-in-Chief
An Investment in Rural America
The pursuit of increased infrastructure
spending received new hope recently
when the political impasse in the U.S.
House of Representatives was temporarily
bypassed. A working compromise within
the Democratic Party allowed a vote on
the divisive and partisan $3.5-billion
reconciliation spending bill in exchange
for a vote on a separate infrastructure
investment bill set for late September.
This vote would be on the final version
that passed the Senate in August.
If the House passes, intact, the
infrastructure bill that the Senate
approved earlier in August, stimulus
spending will suddenly become a
reality after months of maneuvering on
political issues that have very little to
do with infrastructure. The even better
news is that this additional spending
will be pumped into markets already
experiencing strong bill demand.
The infrastructure covers everything
from airports to underground. Supposedly,
the reconciliation bill will even add
additional funds for lead waterline
replacement, along with more fiber network
funding for rural or underserved areas.
This is in addition to billions earmarked
for broadband in late 2020 and what that
market will receive if the infrastructure
vote goes forward as expected this month.
6 SEPTEMBER 2021 | UCONonline.com
I recently read comments by an " expert "
pundit questioning the need for even
more investment in fiber optics with
these new potential spending bonanzas.
All I could figure out is he must be a
city slicker. In fact, the current and
proposed billions for underserved areas
(primarily rural) is the only way these
essential areas of America will be able
to experience the benefits of modern
communications, while continuing
to be the backbone of our country.
Growing up in rural Oklahoma, it
occurs to me now how similar, federally
backed programs literally turned the
lights on for millions of citizens in
rural regions. The original Rural Electric
Cooperative (REC) program became
a staple of progress for small towns,
farmers and ranchers. REC diligently
constructed utility lines and supplied
vital electricity to those citizens in an
affordable and practical manner.
It's hard to believe, but many farmers
and ranchers have monthly electric
bills similar to large factories. The
reality is that powering all kinds of
equipment, such as massive irrigation
and pumping systems, requires
enormous amounts of power. In return,
farmers and ranchers have made the
United States a land of plenty and the
leading breadbasket for the world.
I view broadband communications in
a similar light. No way would Verizon,
AT&T, Comcast or any of the dozens of
fiber companies be willing to run fiber
to less populated regions - they just
can't cost-justify a business scenario to
make that happen. During the early fiber
construction days of mad dashes across
the countryside, it was common for cities
of 50,000 people or less to be left at the
highway waving at construction crews
as they rushed down the road. They were
targeting the next big city, replete with
businesses, factories and high population
density, and would frequently bypass
smaller, less profitable communities.
A number of small towns took
matters into their own hands. Local
sewer and water utilities went into the
broadband business for themselves
and in many instances, met with great
success providing affordable broadband
with high-quality service. But that
solution wasn't practical for all areas,
and certainly not for a resident living
miles from the nearest fiber trunkline.
Already a strong business segment,
fiber construction is about to become
red hot. Broadband has the potential to
lead a renewal of rural American culture.
Increasingly, people are tired of the rat
race, whether it be the hectic pace, traffic or
unsatisfactory jobs. Fiber makes practical
a movement for people to relocate to the
suburbs or further into the countryside.
We have learned - and COVID-19
drove this point home - that for many
jobs, we can work anywhere, as long
as we have good internet and cell
service. Modern communications have
allowed small businesses to develop and
effectively market products when, in the
past, such a dream was impossible. Fast
internet and reliable phone service are
key components of this resurgence in
rural Americana. It's a different way a life
for most; a slower pace perhaps, maybe
even considered dull for those who are
used to a wild and fast-paced world.
Nonetheless, rural America is critical
to our nation and for it to survive in this
modern age, the need for broadband
communications is essential. From
the couple selling canned peaches
and quilts online to rural hospitals
needing access to life-saving medical
records, advanced telecommunications
are essential to rural America.
And rural America is essential to
the rest of the country, as well. It's
a symbiotic relationship and one
well-worth the investment. *
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Underground Construction - September 2021

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