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It is not exactly “news” that the Internet and access to broadband has been an extraordinary force enabling modern-day entrepreneurship and small business growth.Read more

As the president and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (www.sbecouncil.org) I am acutely aware of the factors which influence economic growth – it is the number of jobs created by businesses who, by their very nature, are entrepreneurs.

The growth of broadband access to the Internet is an excellent example of the mechanisms at work which make this point.

Network providers have invested some $120 billion over the past few years and broadband Internet access is now available to about 93 percent of the nation.

Businesses can only exist and grow with broadband access which provides them the platform to engage in commerce.  Some people are developing applications which are only useful with a broadband connection.  Others have service companies which, before broadband, would be available only to people and businesses within driving distance.  Still others whose businesses are selling goods and products, no longer require someone walking past their store front, but only clicking on their Web site.

Businesses do not grow because they hire more people.  Businesses hire people because they are growing and need more employees. 

Without broadband, many businesses big and small can’t exist.  With a growing and robust national broadband network, entrepreneurs will lead us out of current, difficult economic environment.

Karen Kerrigan is president and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council