20
April 2016
Past Event
The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband

The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
April 20, 2016
20
April 2016
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Hanns Kuttner

Senior Fellow

Shirley Bloomfield

CEO, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

Nancy White

CEO, North Central Telephone Cooperative

Leo Staurulakis

Executive Vice President, JSI Capital Advisors

Dusty Johnson

Vice President of Consulting, Vantage Point Solutions

The fastest Internet speed varies across the United States. Americans who live in urban areas have access to speeds unavailable to many of those who live in rural America. It is left up to rural broadband carriers to make the investments needed to close the gap.

Highlighting the important role played these carriers, a new Hudson Institute report, The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband, has determined that the industry has a direct annual economic impact in excess of $24 billion. Rural broadband further supports more than $100 billion in e-commerce, manufacturing, and retail sales.

On Wednesday, April 20, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion about closing the urban-rural gap. Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Hanns Kuttner presented the new report. Joining him to discuss the industry’s impact and prospects were Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association; Nancy White, CEO of a rural broadband company in Lafayette, Tenn.; rural broadband consultant Leo Staurulakis, and Dusty Johnson, Vice President of Consulting, Vantage Point Solutions.

Related Events
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security
Featured Speakers:
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Eric Hostetler
Russell Varone
Moderator:
Nadia Schadlow
Getty Images
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security

Join Hudson Institute for a conference on the future of America’s industrial base.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Eric Hostetler
Russell Varone
Moderator:
Nadia Schadlow
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stability, Security, and Prosperity in Southeastern Europe: A Priority for the Transatlantic Community
Featured Speakers:
Alexandru Nazare
Anca Dragu
Jan Ruzicka
Ambassador Philip Kosnett (Ret.)
Justin Siberell
Moderators:
Luke Coffey
Peter Rough
Getty Images
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stability, Security, and Prosperity in Southeastern Europe: A Priority for the Transatlantic Community

Concurrent with the World Bank–International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, DC, Hudson will host a high-level discussion on Southeastern Europe. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Alexandru Nazare
Anca Dragu
Jan Ruzicka
Ambassador Philip Kosnett (Ret.)
Justin Siberell
Moderators:
Luke Coffey
Peter Rough
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar
David Feith
Getty Images
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations

Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, will join Hudson Senior Fellow David Feith to discuss how Washington should approach the US-China relationship in an era of rising geopolitical competition.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar
David Feith
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Can the US and Brazil find Common Ground?
Featured Speakers:
Márcio Coimbra
Eduardo Fayet
Mark Langevin
Anya Prusa
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle
President Lula da Silva speaks at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on September 17, 2025. (Getty Images)
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Can the US and Brazil find Common Ground?

Join Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle and an expert panel as they assess whether current political dynamics could allow the Western Hemisphere’s two largest powers to forge a more constructive partnership, and what it would take to bridge their considerable differences.

President Lula da Silva speaks at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on September 17, 2025. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Márcio Coimbra
Eduardo Fayet
Mark Langevin
Anya Prusa
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle