Just heard the President of the United States, Joe Biden, proclaim that by 2025 all of America will be connected to high-speed Broadband internet services. You may recall that back in 2015, based on the clarion call created through your Chamber’s biennial survey of members, we shifted our infrastructure priority from highway construction to so-called ‘Broadband Construction.’
You spoke, we responded, and ever since we’ve either built or participated in strategic alliances that have consistently and constantly chipped away at the digital divide here in the Greater Susquehanna Valley.
With the President’s bold proclamation in mind, please let me mention to you what ‘I know-I know’ when it comes to rural Broadband. First, if it were easy to do, it would have been done years ago. Second, the other absolute that I know about connecting rural areas such as ours to the high-speed worldwide web is that there is great wisdom when it comes to working alongside our incumbent ISPs (Internet Service Providers). They’ve been beside us for many years, even decades, so let’s our level best to keep them there.
So, here are a couple of invitations and newsworthy updates for you to read and consider:
- Next Thursday, July 6th, you’re invited to a forum hosted by DRIVE at their Professional Building located at 418 Railroad Street, Danville from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. The discussion will be entirely focused on your high-speed internet/Broadband experiences. You and the other participants will have the opportunity to provide your input and thoughts on future connectivity opportunities here in our valley.
- Jeff Reber, your Chamber Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Union County Board of Commissioners is encouraging all of his fellow Chamber members to complete a Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) survey. The survey findings will be used to draft a 5-year Action Plan for Universal Broadband Service in Pennsylvania and for a Digital Equity Plan. Both plans directly connect to the President’s announcement. These plans are a big deal, and you really need to prioritize adding your input. The survey is open and will only take 10-15 minutes to complete.
- Recently, Mario Acosta-Velez of Verizon of Pennsylvania dropped me a note requesting a letter of support encouraging the federal government to assist ($) his company in expanding Broadband services into and throughout Snyder County. While your Chamber fields dozens of requests for these types of letters every year, I would like to hear your thoughts. This topic will be discussed by the Governmental Affairs Committee members during their July meetings. Please let me know if you want to be part of the discussion.
Here's the thing when it comes to success, whether it be successful businesses, successful students, successful communities, or even medical success along with good health in the 21st Century. All of these depend heavily on connectivity resulting from affordable, accessible, and compatible Broadband and high-speed internet services.
With connectivity our best days lie just ahead.
