Over the past few weeks we’ve been bringing you stories of the continued efforts to deploy broadband access and adoption across all 50 states. We know that broadband brings opportunities in education, health care, the economy and many other facets of our lives. But perhaps the greatest direct stimulus that the broadband sector provides is in job creation.

As our Broadband for America Honorary Co-Chairman Michael Powell has stated, broadband keeps the American Dream alive and accessible.

Completing the goal of bringing broadband to all Americans is expected to create at least 1.2 million new jobs, on top of the 3 million jobs the broadband sector has already created.

The broadband industry has invested more than $120 billion in the last two years alone, at a time when many sectors of the economy have been scaling back their investments in an uncertain climate.

And while the private sector continues to be the leading driver of this economic growth, the national broadband stimulus has also been responsible for creating thousands of new jobs, with an expected 5,000 more expected this year alone.

So, while the overall economy continues to rebuild, broadband is providing the backbone of that growth. With continued investment and valuable public-private partnerships, the job growth potential of high-speed Internet is limitless.