By Ryan Johnston

Bipartisan Tech is always a tremendous opportunity to bring officials from the federal government to give insights to local leaders about what’s happening in Washington D.C. Next Century Cities has hosted iterations of this hallmark event before. The previousBipartisan Tech was held virtually and we were excited to resume the in-person Bipartisan Tech in the nation’s capital. This year Next Century Cities hosted officials from both the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) and Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). The day began with a short Question and Answer session with former Next Century Cities Program Manager and current NTIA Special Policy Advisor for Broadband, Lukas Pietrzak. Lukas provided updates on the timeline for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (“BEAD”) program. He explained that, at the time, almost all states’ Volume I proposals had been approved and the NTIA had moved on to reviewing many of the submitted Volume II proposals. Lukas also shared some examples of state broadband offices that are undertaking critical community engagement processes and how they have ultimately influenced the state’s Volume I and II proposals. The discussion concluded with Lukas sharing a few words on how his time with NCC has helped frame how he prioritizes communities first in his work with the NTIA. 

After lunch, Alejandro Roark, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, and Hayley Steffen, Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez’s Legal Advisor for Wireline and Space joined Coralette Hannon, AARP’s Director of Livable Communities to discuss ongoing Commission efforts and how communities can engage with the agency’s work. Hayley highlighted Commissioner Gomez’s priorities and how the Commissioner is focused on vital consumer protections such as the Consumer Broadband Nutrition Label and recently approved Net Neutrality order. Similarly, Alejandro gave a brief explanation of the work his bureau is currently engaged in and how communities can reach his governmental affairs and outreach team to ensure that the FCC is consistently aware of what is happening on the ground and how they should address community concerns.

All three of our federal speakers shared an eagerness to work in partnership with communities, and urged all in attendance to share their stories, concerns, questions, and successes with them. In doing so, federal officials can tap directly into the incredible work that is happening in communities nationwide.