The public is invited to a bill signing ceremony for H.513, An act relating to broadband deployment throughout Vermont this Thursday June 20th with Governor Phil Scott, Department of Public Service Commissioner June Tierney and key legislative committees: House Energy and Technology Chairman Tim Briglin and Windham County Senator Becca Balint who will speak on behalf of the Senate Finance Committee.

The signing is open to the public and will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Dover Town Hall, 189 Taft Brook Road, Dover, VT

H.513, An act relating to broadband deployment throughout Vermont, will help communities create broadband solutions in areas of the state that are under served. This bill encourages communities to form multi-town Communications Unions Districts and apply for state planning funds to create a fund-able plan for the build out and operation of symmetrical broadband service in their region. Financial and technical assistance tools to build and implement those plans are part of the bill including a new VEDA lending program the Governor outlined in his budget.

Both Governor Scott and Speaker Mitzi Johnson highlighted the issue of rural broadband as a session priority for action when the legislature convened this year. Having worked extensively on House efforts to advance meaningful connectivity legislation over the last few years, I am thrilled the Governor is coming to sign this bill in Southern Vermont. Ultimately it is the voices of Vermonters in our towns persistently asking for help in connecting to public safety, education and healthcare that has made the difference in getting this legislation passed.