News Details - Committee Surveying Residents on High-Speed Broadband Needs

As it seeks to determine how high-speed Internet access can be achieved for all county residents, the County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband over the next few weeks is surveying residents and businesses concerning the need for expanded broadband service.

The telephone survey, administered by the Cornell Survey Research Institute (SRI), seeks feedback from residents and local businesses, particularly those in rural areas of the County, regarding how high-speed Internet could improve their quality of life—socially, professionally, and economically. The information provided will be used to develop a business plan to expand county broadband service.

The survey began this week and will run for approximately three weeks. The program is made possible through the Park Foundation, supporting the commitment of County leadership through the Broadband Committee.

The Committee urges those contacted to participate in this important community project. “It will take less than ten minutes of your time,” notes Legislator Pat Pryor, who chairs the Broadband Committee. “If you’re not available when the call comes in, SRI will leave a message with a phone number and reference number to assure that this is a valid undertaking and not a marketing call. We encourage you to return the call to SRI.”

The Committee is charged with advising the Legislature on “how to best promote broadband technology countywide, to address the needs of unserved and underserved residents, foster public-private innovation, enhance existing capabilities, and support good governance.” It has been working on the issue for over a year.

The survey data will supplement information obtained from a series of community forums the Committee has sponsored over the past several months.

05-18-2012