South Dakota Senators and Representative – Support Net Neutrality
This letter was sent on December 5th, 2017 on behalf of over 100 South Dakotan businesses and individuals asking their senators and representative to maintain current net neutrality protections.
Dear Senators Thune, Rounds and Representative Noem-
As the holidays approach, millions of Americans are shopping online, many purchasing products and services from South Dakota businesses and entrepreneurs like us. Free and open internet has made South Dakota a vibrant home for businesses. An open internet encourages entrepreneurship, drives innovation and supports a healthy economy, even if customers live hundreds or thousands of miles away.
For a rural state like South Dakota, equal access to information and customers is essential to keep our state growing and innovating. With strong net neutrality protections, the internet is an open marketplace where any business can compete, allowing individuals to start companies easily (even if they are based in rural South Dakota), market their products across the country and connect with customers.
Disastrously, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released a draft order that would end this open commerce by repealing the current net neutrality rules and eliminating the protections that keep the internet free and open for America’s businesses and consumers.
Without these rules, internet service providers will favor certain websites and e-businesses by putting the ones that can pay in fast lanes and slowing down, or even blocking, others. Businesses may have to pay a toll just to reach customers.
The majority of businesses in South Dakota are small and medium-sized businesses who would be unable, or unwilling, to pay for access. This type of “pay to play” model would further discourage South Dakotans from starting a new business. An internet without net neutrality protections would be the opposite of an open market, with a few powerful cable and phone companies picking winners and losers instead of consumers.
Today, we the over 100 undersigned businesses and individuals in South Dakota, urge you to publicly lobby the FCC to maintain the current net neutrality rules and Title II classification of broadband internet.
The current rules provide the protections necessary to protect net neutrality and ensure the internet remains a free and open marketplace that encourages innovation and supports robust competitions.
With energy and optimism,
South Dakota Businesses:
MarketBeat, Matthew Paulson
9 Clouds, Scott Meyer, Allen Day
Zwather, LLC, Robert Mehling
Ileana Perez, Ileana Perez
Brinks Web Solutions, Phil Brinks
Raclette Corner, Sonja Hoffmann
Eyes Up Sports, Erika Hessman
45 Degrees Marketing, Jacob Marek
Little House Living, Merissa Alink
Unique Reflections Photography, Brittany Gades
Undercast Media, Eric Dew
Creations3, Erik Ault
Boss’ Pizza and Chicken, Jeremy Seefeldt
Game Chest, LLC, Amanda Wermers
Media by JP, Jeff Pickett
Wooden Legs Brewing Company, Seth Koch
Meyer Orthodontics, David Meyer
Lemonly, John Meyer
Fire Bros. Fireworks, Andy Jorgensen
The Bonus Round Bar and Inside & Out, Isak Daniel Anderson
NovakMedia, Joshua Novak
Nash-Keller Media, LLC, Trevor Nash-Keller
kh designs, Kyle Herge
Solfam International, Inc., Brandon Solberg
Pivot Companies, Dan Grossman
Learn Create Build Academy, Inc., Shane Thomas
SoDak Animation, Cable Hardin
Runia Resources, LLC, Amanda Runia
Studio 52, Emily Pieper
Canine Country Club, Kayce Engen
Inanovate, Inc., Robert Nelson
Exposure Gallery and Studio, Zach DeBoer
John Nelson Photography, John Nelson
Mama Peacock, LLC, Sarah Dorn
South Dakotans:
Lisa Brouwer
Lisa Groon
Kristina Johnson
Thadeus Giedd
Melissa Heckel
Caitlin Pisha
Blake Gades
Nick Schmeichel
Tyler Sean Rau
Laura Foiles
Chad A. Meirose
Troy Kongerbo
James Humpula
Lindsey Holmquest
Jase Kraft
William Ross
Nancy Hopp
Brandon Callenius
Paul Meyer
Ryan Quam
Michael Todd
Sarah Carnes
Ashley Sorenson
Joshua Westwick
Rachel Speiser
Jaden Miller
Aaron Lemon
Valissa Farrell
Barbara Looney
Kimberly Caldwell
Sarah Klongerbo
Tracy Hummel
Derek Steiger
Amy Colgan
Kasey Wahl
Bradley Lawrence
Matthew Berg
Jena Christianson
Daniel Spangler
Rachel Speiser
Bryce Kummer
Heidi Gullickson
Stephanie Martin
Jill Ayres
Wendy Quam
Leah Brink
Anne Beulke
Gabrielle Metzger
William deBlonk
Janet Jeppesen
Cathy Chapin
Doriane
Molly O’Connor
Ashely Ballou-Bonnema
Patrick J. Anderson
Darla Biel
Jacquelyn Jacobsma
Angie Baszler
Kasee Hieb
Rae O’Leary
Charlene Miller
Paul Baggett
Amanda Quam
Andrew Brynjulson
Natasha Carlson
Travis Rhoades
Brett Hanes
Morgan Hauck