Dear GRM Networks Customer,
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., along with members of our board of directors. We met with our federal legislators to discuss important issues related to broadband deployment and suggested reforms to existing Federal Communications Commission programs.
As we have discussed in the past, GRM Networks has been the recipient of grants through the United States Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program. Currently, these grant proceeds are subject to federal income tax. We discussed with legislators the need to exempt these grant dollars from federal taxation, so these grant dollars can go further to serve the intended purpose of connecting rural America.
We also discussed Farm Bill priorities including the need to encourage intergovernmental cooperation to ensure that funds are not duplicated. The Farm Bill should encourage networks to be built for long-term sustainability, providing symmetrical broadband speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps.
Representatives from GRM Networks have also been working with the state broadband offices including the Missouri Department of Economic Development and Iowa’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. We have attended a number of town hall meetings focused on topics related to accessibility, affordability, digital devices and digital skills. Feedback from these meetings will be used to develop each state’s broadband deployment efforts.
It is vital our federal and state legislators understand the importance of reliable broadband access in rural America and the opportunities that broadband brings to their constituents. I always appreciate the time spent with legislators and being able to advocate for the members and customers of GRM Networks.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Bailey
Chief Executive Officer
GRM Networks