Insights from D.C.: Blake Griffin on Enhancing RUS Programs for Rural Broadband
Earlier this month, Blake Griffin, President of CNE and the Association of Communication Engineers (ACE) traveled to Washington D.C. for a series of important discussions with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), NTCA, FCC, and other key industry players for the 2024 RUS All Hands meeting. The trip focused on broadband infrastructure, policy, and the continued development of RUS’s telecom funding programs.
Improving the RUS Telecom Program Salesforce Portal
Blake, along with three other ACE representatives, participated in an RUS information-gathering session to offer input on improving the RUS Telecom Program’s Salesforce-based system, which is expanding to better manage projects post-award. The ACE representatives provided feedback centered around increasing visibility, enhancing communication between engineers, owners, and RUS, and simplifying processes to benefit the end-users.
Interagency Cooperation for Broadband Expansion
Additionally, Blake attended sessions addressing interagency cooperation between RUS, NTIA, FCC, and the Treasury Department. The coordination of funding across these agencies is critical to expanding broadband access in rural areas. These discussions allowed the ACE team to better understand federal funding strategies and how they affect current and future telecom projects.
ACE Panel: An Engineer’s Perspective
A highlight of the trip was Blake’s participation in an ACE panel in front of RUS staff, where the team shared insights on ACE, the individual firms they work for, and designing systems from an engineer’s perspective. The ACE panel praised RUS’s streamlined application process but also addressed challenges such as service area validation and project visibility. Importantly, their input has already sparked interest in improvements, with RUS actively investigating some of the recommendations.
Looking Ahead
This collaborative trip provided valuable insights, and Blake’s contributions will help shape the future of RUS programs to better serve engineers and RUS borrowers in the broadband space.
