High-speed internet is a cornerstone of modern life. It enables communications, education, purchase power, skill building and connectivity in ways that were once unimaginable.

While New Jersey boasts a vast network of broadband into every corner of our state, many residents are not using the internet to its full advantage, and tens of thousands of people aren’t on the internet at all, despite having access.

Right now, we have a golden opportunity to empower our fellow citizens to seize the digital future and in doing so, strengthen our communities, our workforce, and our state.

New Jersey will receive hundreds of millions of dollars from Washington, D.C., to spend on broadband internet. It’s coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which President Joseph Biden signed in late 2021.

This money can be the key to reaching the 10% of New Jersey households that have access to broadband internet but haven’t signed up for it. We can use this money to help them get connected, educated and upskilled on the digital skills that can help them thrive.

In a state where virtually every corner is already well equipped with broadband, we should now turn our attention toward using this federal funding to unleash that infrastructure investment by investing in digital skills training and workforce development verses the build out of more broadband infrastructure or creating government-owned broadband networks.

Why is skills training a much smarter investment? The answer is simple. It helps people learn the ins and outs of digital connectivity, giving them better career opportunities for the rest of their lives. Plus, with skills training, people who don’t have broadband internet are more likely to get it, because they will recognize the many benefits it brings.

The same insight holds true for workforce development. This includes programs and projects that train today’s workers for tomorrow’s jobs. By investing in such efforts, New Jersey can help countless people climb the ladder of opportunity. That will lead to flourishing workers, stronger businesses, and booming communities across the state.

Investment in this manner is an urgent need. Research shows that 92% of jobs now require digital skills. It’s also the case that getting a digitally focused job can raise your income by nearly half. The 10% of New Jersey households who haven’t signed up for broadband internet are missing out on these opportunities. And there are many others who do have broadband yet don’t have the knowledge about how best to use it.

This round of federal funding will provide millions of dollars; enough to reach anyone who lacks digital skills, including those who despite having access to broadband internet, haven’t yet adopted it and thus, providing an unprecedented opportunity for enhanced education and workforce development skill building. But this can only happen if we get our plan in order now, before this funding arrives.

We are asking our policy leaders to establish concrete plans now to deploy these funds in this manner. One way to do so is through public-private partnerships that can take many forms.

New Jersey’s business community stands ready to help. Companies of all sizes know how important broadband internet is and are committed to helping every citizen in our state take full advantage of it.

Some companies are uniquely suited to help train digital navigators who can go into their communities and help people sign up for broadband and join the digital economy. Others can focus on launching digital skills classes or creating workforce development initiatives. There’s no shortage of opportunities, and if the state is willing to ask, businesses will gladly step up.

Together we can put this federal money to its best use; enabling the broad utilization of our already vast broadband infrastructure verses continuing to believe that investment in more infrastructure on its own will empower our workforce and our communities.

Michele Siekerka is president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.