In Episode 2 of Talk Fiber to Me, Baby, Caleb and Josh Etheridge dive into one of the fiber industry's toughest challenges: building networks that last in rural America. With $20.4 billion in RDOF funding on the table and Louisiana alone needing 20,000 workers just for BEAD deployment, the brothers aren't just talking fiber—they're weaving together the real questions about sustainability. (Pun fully intended.)Key Topics Include:· Why investing in rural broadband without a local workforce strategy is like building a bridge that leads nowhere.· EPC’s evolution from 'How do we hire 20 people?' to 'How do we create lasting economic impact?'· The critical link between local workforce development and network sustainability (because fiber doesn’t fix itself).· Why state-level decisions often trump federal mandates.Drawing from their experience scaling EPC to 120+ employees, Caleb and Josh share practical insights on:· Building lasting workforce development programs (translation: solving rural talent shortages without smoke and mirrors).· Training local talent for long-term maintenance.· The real costs of maintaining rural networks.Whether you’re an ISP mapping out your long-term sustainability, a contractor looking to grow, or just someone fascinated by rural broadband’s future (and fiber puns), this episode delivers the straight talk you need.