DeLauro Pushes Bill For ​“Gigabit State”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro wants to give New Haven and the rest of the state a hand in providing fast, cheap Internet access to residents and businesses.

It’s a hand that the 13-term congresswoman believes would not only help build critical infrastructure, but also provide jobs.

DeLauro stopped by the offices of New Haven-based startup SeeClickFix Friday to announce that she will reintroduce a bill that could help businesses compete on a global stage, help local and state governments attract high-tech businesses, and provide lots of jobs.

The bill, which is called the ​“National Infrastructure Development Bank Act,” would create and fund a public bank that would provide loans, loan guarantees and proceeds from bond issues for transportation, environmental, energy and telecommunications projects such as the broadband initiative gathering steam in Connecticut.

Though U.S. Census data shows that the state is No. 4 for high-speed Internet use, state and municipal leaders are on a quest to become the first ​“gigabit state.” That means being able to deliver Internet access that is more than 100 times faster than average home speed of 9 megabits per second to residents and businesses across the state.

State Consumer Counsel Elin Katz said 100 municipalities including New Haven have signed on as part of what is being called the CTgig Project, and 11 private sector and telecommunications industry representatives have responded to a request for proposals for partnership opportunities with municipalities. DeLauro’s bill could provide additional financial resources to make high speed, inexpensive Internet in Connecticut happen sooner rather than later, Katz said.

State Comptroller Kevin Lembo said the push for broadband in the state is ​“equal parts infrastructure and economic development. If we get this right we win.”

SeeClickFix founder Ben Berkowitz likened the building of infrastructure that delivers faster, less expensive Internet access to the natural advantage of New Haven having access to a deep harbor. Without it, New Haven and other cities and their residents will struggle to compete, he said.

DeLauro said of the days when the federal government paid for 75 percent of an infrastructure project and the state kicked in the rest — ​“those days are gone.” Finding ways to leverage public and private funds to meet the tremendous infrastructure needs of the nation plays a role in how the country competes on a global scale, she said.

City Controller Daryl Jones, who represented Mayor Toni Harp Friday, said that providing broadband access is important for the city not just for economic development, but for public safety and education. ​“We’re closing the digital divide,” he said.

DeLauro’s hoping that focusing on the country’s infrastructure, business, employment and global competition needs cut through the partisan bickering that usually takes center stage in Washington, D.C. She said the legislation had 103 co-sponsors the last time she introduced it, but no support from her Republican colleagues. DeLauro said the bill has bipartisan support at the state and local level, and she’s counting on governors and mayors to speak up. ​“This is not a partisan issue,” she said. ​“It’s a national issue.”