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
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
Getty Images
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy

Please join Ambassador Greer for a fireside chat with Senior Fellow Peter Rough on the Trump administration’s first year back in office and what’s next for US trade policy.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Protecting US Communications: Strengthening Supply Chains and Countering Foreign Risk
Featured Speakers:
Adam Chan
Hunter Deeley
Alice Jou
Zenji Nakazawa
Thomas Sullivan
Moderators:
David Feith
Michael Sobolik
Getty Images
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Protecting US Communications: Strengthening Supply Chains and Countering Foreign Risk

Experts and policymakers will discuss how to close regulatory gaps, improve compliance, and build more resilient and trusted infrastructure.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Adam Chan
Hunter Deeley
Alice Jou
Zenji Nakazawa
Thomas Sullivan
Moderators:
David Feith
Michael Sobolik
09
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
New Evidence of China’s Forced Organ Harvesting and a Proposed US Response
Featured Speakers:
Nina Shea
Congressman Chris Smith
Ethan Gutmann
Getty Images
09
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
New Evidence of China’s Forced Organ Harvesting and a Proposed US Response

Join Nina Shea in a discussion with Ethan Gutmann and Congressman Chris Smith, the author of the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting bill. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Nina Shea
Congressman Chris Smith
Ethan Gutmann
02
April 2026
Past Event
After Maduro: Venezuela Three Months On
Featured Speakers:
Amb. James B. Story
Daniel Batlle
Getty Images
02
April 2026
Past Event
After Maduro: Venezuela Three Months On

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion with former US Ambassador to Venezuela James Story to examine recent developments in Venezuela and assess the direction of Washington's strategy.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Amb. James B. Story
Daniel Batlle