Letter to Hon. Janet Yellen, Secretary of Treasury - Ensure Underserved Communities Gain Access to Remote Work, Telehealth and Distance Learning

Letter

Dear Secretary Yellen,

Thank you for releasing the recent guidance regarding the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) that was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

With the deadline for States to request funding quickly approaching at year's end, I wanted to raise awareness of this deadline, especially for my Congressional District's potential recipients who stand to benefit from the nearly $181 million in funding available for the State of Minnesota. My goal is for these local communities to begin preparing ideas for eligible projects that would carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in line with Congressional intent.

While the State of Minnesota is the lead applicant for funding, subrecipients such as counties and cities -- as well as non-profits and certain private entities -- may be awarded funds. For example, Treasury notes that for Broadband Infrastructure Projects, Subrecipients may include "co operatives, electric utilities, and other entities that build or operate broadband networks, including networks that are owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments."

In addition to raising awareness about this funding opportunity, I am also writing to ensure that there is sufficient coordination between federal agencies prior to (or during) grant reviews. While Treasury was established as the lead federal agency in charge of the program, I would encourage you to ensure that at minimum, the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Labor are consulted. These agencies have substantial knowledge of issues facing communities looking to expand rural broadband, tackle remote and telehealth issues and improve workforce training.

Getting this new program right is vitally important. As you are no doubt aware, too many people in the United States lack access to the quality, modern infrastructure needed over the last 19 months. Distance learning, telehealth and remote work all require reliable, accessible and affordable broadband. Need for strong broadband infrastructure will only increase as technology advances and employers seek to offer increased flexibility.

As a member of the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth tasked with representing the voices of this nation's family farmers and rural families, I see the urgent need for increased broadband and modern infrastructure investments every day. Too many of the people in my Congressional District and across rural America lack even rudimentary access to the internet.

Passing the American Rescue Plan was a key step in ensuring a strong and swift recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I sincerely appreciate the Biden Administration's significant efforts to support state and tribal governments throughout the pandemic.

Thank you for your consideration and dedicated work on behalf of the American people.

Source