200K–400K
The estimated
number of residents
without access to
broadband internet
expanding the economic landscape
AWB’s advocacy work centered around
growing and expanding economic opportunity
in every county, small town and city across
Washington state. To achieve economic
parity with urban areas, AWB focused
on measures that would help attract
jobs to rural regions.
“The digital divide separates communities from
the world,” AWB Government Affairs Director
Mike Ennis told lawmakers in a public hearing
on the proposal.
Other areas of focus in AWB’s economic
expansion effort were finding ways to support
iconic industries, such as the manufacturing
One highlight was advocating for the need
and natural resources sectors, and starting
to expand access to broadband to unserved
the conversation on how to address workforce
and underserved areas outside urban centers. needs of employers and access to quality child
Part of AWB’s Rural Jobs Task Force agenda,
care to help employees thrive in the workplace.
the idea gained traction with a bill being
These and other issues are critical to
introduced in the state Senate. It would have
generating economic activity and attracting
created a Governor’s Office of Broadband
diverse industries that create good-paying
Access to better coordinate public and private
jobs and build strong communities across
work to reach statewide connectivity.
Washington state.
“That is the beauty
of AWB. It’s coming
together with a
whole bunch of
business leaders to
talk solutions and
how to make what
we do even better.”
lucas mack,
founder and ceo,
4th avenue media
pg. 17