Overview

February 21

The federal government will make more than $42 billion available for broadband expansion through the IIJA. But these dollars will be disbursed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) — a funding source that’s unfamiliar to many DOTs — and the grants also require DOTs to forge new partnerships with state and local agencies, telecom providers and commercial ISPs. This session will explore the potential opportunity for DOTs and what they’ll need to do to benefit from these funds.

Speakers

Mark Monroe

Deputy Director, Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative

Mark Monroe was appointed Deputy Director for the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative in October 2021. Prior to his appointment, he worked at the California Department of Finance since 2000 where he had served as an Assistant Program Budget Manager since 2011. With a strong interest in public policy, Monroe has extensive experience in policy related to utilities, transportation, business, housing, labor, local government, and tax policy.

Jim Weaver

Secretary and Chief Information Officer, North Carolina

Jim Weaver joined the North Carolina Department of Information Technology in March 2021, with more than 30 years of leadership and management in the IT industry. As secretary and state CIO, he leads the agency responsible for strategic IT planning and the procurement and delivery of IT services and solutions, as well as cybersecurity and efforts to expand broadband access and affordability across North Carolina. Prior to NCDIT, he served as director and state CIO at Washington Technology Solutions.

Steve Towns — Moderator

Director of Content Strategy, Center for Digital Government

Steve Towns is director of content strategy for the Center for Digital Government. He is the former editor of Government Technology and has spent more than 25 years covering technology in the state and local government market.

Webinar

Smarter Transportation: What DOTs Need to Know About IIJA Broadband Funds