From City Hall to Main Street: Why Mayors Are Betting Big on Fiber

Fiber broadband isn’t just infrastructure—it’s a catalyst for economic growth, smart city innovation, and improved quality of life. In this session, Revati Prasad (Vice President of Programs, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society) led the discussion with Mayor Roberto Alves (Danbury, CT), Mayor Juandiego Wade (Charlottesville, VA), and Mayor Russ Trimble (West Des Moines, IA), on how fiber investments are transforming their cities from the ground up.

From overcoming legal challenges and funding hurdles to leveraging broadband for public safety, education, and remote work, each city’s path highlighted the long-term value of fiber infrastructure. Mayor Trimble discussed the $72 million, multi-year investment West Des Moines made to lay open-access conduit, calling it “as essential as streets and sewers.” Mayor Wade shared how early fiber investments in Charlottesville helped the city pivot during COVID and drive small business growth. Mayor Alves emphasized the importance of state support and inter-agency coordination to help Danbury launch its municipal fiber initiative.

What united these leaders was their vision: fiber is foundational for future-ready communities. Whether it’s attracting businesses, serving vulnerable populations, or enabling innovation, high-speed connectivity is now core to local leadership.

Watch the full session to hear how these mayors are lighting the way—and why fiber is key to economic resilience, civic progress, and digital inclusion.