Bob Dagostino to House committee: 'It's all about connectivity'
Dagostino Electronic Services President Bob Dagostino testified before the House Small Business committee about the importance of robust infrastructure systems for small businesses.
Apr 25, 2018
WASHINGTON – Dagostino Electronic Services President Bob Dagostino testified in Washington, DC, Wednesday before the House Small Business committee about the importance of robust infrastructure systems for small businesses.
DES President Bob Dagostino waits to testify before the House Small Business committee on the importance of robust infrastructure systems for small businesses on April 25, 2018. (NECA)
The hearing, entitled “American Infrastructure and the Small Business Perspective,” focused on how American infrastructure and technologies like broadband internet and fiber optics can benefit small businesses and how not having access to them can inhibit proficiency.
Dagostino, one of four panelists, has served on the board of the directors for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association since 2015 and testified on behalf of the association.
In his opening remarks, Dagostino talked about the importance of the work done every day by NECA’s 4,000 members and their mission to keep people connected through the nation’s power grid and communication infrastructure.
He told the committee, “We’re working every day to build the next generation of reliable power and communication networks and infrastructure that will advance this nation into the next digital revolution.”
Dagostino highlighted three overarching themes of funding, contract reform and workforce shortage.
He voiced NECA’s concerns about the lack of direct federal funding for infrastructure projects to ensure safety, security and efficiency of our transportation, power and communication networks.
He asked the committee to continue to support the Small Business Payment for Performance Act, a bill that aims to help small businesses in the construction industry get paid for their work in a timely matter.
And he addressed the nation’s skilled labor shortage. Dagostino said NECA is already doing its part by teaming up with its 70-year partner the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers with an apprenticeship program that provides students with as many as 10,000 hours of classroom and on-the-job education.
