It’s not often—and that’s an understatement—that you ask a question, and everyone agrees on the answer. In this day and age, is anything “unanimous” anymore? Yes—apparently, we have found a unicorn!
Findings from the Adams County Broadband Task Force were recently released, and 100% of all respondents agree that the internet is important to the success of their business over the next five years.
Some additional findings:
- 74% of those surveyed are interested in faster and more reliable internet service.
- 77% of responding businesses need employees to be able to work from home.
- 94% believe Adams County government should help facilitate better broadband.
To that end, Brady Rodgers, the Alliance’s director of business and community outreach has been working alongside the task force. He’s been making numerous broadband presentations, sharing the survey’s data and next steps.
There are seven key takeaways from the survey results:
- Develop a county-wide strategic plan for broadband.
- Evaluate a partnership with Franklin County.
- County government should not become an internet provider.
- Improved fiber is needed for the long-term, and fixed wireless is needed in the short-term.
- Seek grant funding.
- Manage expectations.
- Develop partnerships with wireless internet service providers (WISPs) and internet service providers (ISPs).
There are a number of colorful maps Brady uses in his presentation to illustrate broadband needs across the county. We will share those on our social media accounts today (Facebook, LinkedIn and X formerly known as Twitter).
So where do we go from here? I’m glad you asked, because we truly need you and your input. While one huge survey has been completed, we now need to follow-through on strategic action. The task force is currently developing and organizing industry-specific committees so that we better understand each industry’s needs for broadband improvement.
“We are especially concerned about the negative impact of slow internet speed for our tourism and agricultural industries,” says Marty Karsteter Qually, Adams County Commissioner and longtime proponent of improved county broadband.
“The board of commissioners set an ambitious goal for the task force,” Qually says. “Our task is to find solutions so that every residence and every business has access to affordable high-speed internet. This goal is achievable, but we need more volunteers to advise our industry work groups on how their industry is impacted by high-speed internet.”
To participate, please share how broadband and the internet impact your industry or daily life by reaching out to the Alliance’s Brady Rodgers at [email protected]. All feedback is welcome. Broadband is a critical connection we all agree needs to be improved for the economic health and vitality of our Adams County community.
Robin Fitzpatrick is President of Adams Economic Alliance, which comprises three organizations: The Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), the Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) and the Adams County General Authority (ACGA). For more information, see adamsalliance.org, follow us on Twitter (@AdamsAlliance), Facebook (Facebook.com/AdamsAlliance) and LinkedIn (Adams Economic Alliance), or contact us at 717-334-0042.
