Chairman Williams: Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses

Summary

A release dated Washington, September 3, 2025, saying the House Committee on Small Business is holding a hearing titled "Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses." It reproduces Chairman Roger Williams' opening statement as prepared for delivery. In the statement the Chairman says access to reliable, affordable broadband is a necessity for small businesses, families, students, and communities, and that rural entrepreneurs face slow or nonexistent internet service. He says he has introduced legislation over the years that would eliminate the digital divide, credits steps by the Trump Administration on broadband deployment, and yields to Ranking Member Ms. Velázquez.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

Chairman Williams: “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses”
Source(print): https://smallbusiness.house.gov/news/documentprint.aspx?DocumentID=407304

Chairman Williams: “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses” 

 smallbusiness.house.gov 

 Cmte Small Business (R) 

 Contact: 

 Chairman Williams: “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses” 

 Washington ,
 September 3, 2025 
 -

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Small Business is holding a hearing titled “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses.” 
 Chairman Roger Williams’ opening statement as prepared for delivery: 
 Welcome to today’s hearing titled, “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses.” 
 I want to begin by thanking our witnesses for being here today. Access to reliable, affordable broadband is not a luxury; it is a necessity for small businesses, families, students, and communities across America. In rural areas in particular, broadband can mean the difference between growth and stagnation, and between new opportunities and being left behind. 
 For years, we have heard the frustration from rural entrepreneurs who cannot compete on a level playing field because of slow or nonexistent internet service. They cannot expand their markets, streamline operations, or use new technologies. That divide is real and holds back small businesses and the communities they serve. That is why I have been proud to introduce legislation over the years that would eliminate the digital divide. 
 Further, broadband deployment must be free from political interference. That is why I am encouraged by the steps taken by the Trump Administration to reduce red tape, lower costs, and accelerate broadband deployment, ultimately improving connectivity opportunities.  
 By cutting through the regulatory burdens that slowed investment and innovation for far too long, the Trump Administration is ensuring that rural communities finally get connected. President Trump promised to put America first, ensuring every American has the tools to thrive in the modern economy. 
 Today’s hearing is about listening to small businesses and rural providers who are experiencing this challenge. As legislators and advocates for Main Street in Washington, we need to better understand what is working, where the roadblocks remain, and how we can continue to build on the progress for small business owners, broadband providers, and local leaders. 
 Our Committee is committed to ensuring that rural small businesses have the same opportunities as those in our cities and suburbs. Broadband is critical infrastructure, workforce development, education, and healthcare. Most importantly, it is freedom—freedom to innovate, compete, and succeed. 
 I want to thank our witnesses again for joining us today, and I look forward to the discussion ahead as we work to ensure that rural America is not left behind in the 21 st century economy.  
 With that, I will yield to our distinguished Ranking Member from New York, Ms. Velázquez. 
 ###

File and source

File

407304_2025-09-03_chairman-williams-wired-for-growth-how-expanding-b.txt

Size

3,226 bytes

SHA-256

ef71f254fe4fce1aaa01f4bd36725be8b493fda3c29e007021329c5d4dae8fb5

Our copy

407304_2025-09-03_chairman-williams-wired-for-growth-how-expanding-b.txt

Original

No public link identified.