From Where I Sit

First, let me say that I hope you and yours had an enjoyable, restful, and safe 4th of July. If you’re back to work, or if never had off, for the holiday…welcome back. If you took this whole week off: Congratulations, you’re enjoying summer at its finest. Heard the radio weather dude refer to this week as ‘HHH’ meaning hot, hazy, and humid.
 
A ‘tip ‘o the hat’ to Nick Gilson, the master craftsmen behind Gilson Boards, for today’s quote. Nick uttered these words a few years ago while accepting the Chambers Small Business of Year award. A man of impressive flourishes with both wood and words, Nick compared the Broadband, which he had worked alongside Service Electric, PennTeleData, and his Chamber to extend to his growing business, as far more important to his success than other services such as water, sewer, or even heat. He said that Broadband was as important to his and his colleague’s success as having oxygen to breathe. On that day, I could have kissed that guy and oh how I loved that acceptance speech.
 
Over yesterday’s lunch hour, I participated in what the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority referred to as a Community Conversation. This is the event that I mentioned in this column last week. The event was well attended with many County Commissioners, SEDA-COG representatives, business owners, and residents in attendance. I enjoyed sitting beside my former co-worker and current President/CEO of the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce, Chris Berleth. Things are going well for Chris and our neighboring Chamber.
 
What I took away from the Community Conversation is that right now the most important ingredient to our shared long-term success in realizing our vision of a fully connected Greater Susquehanna Valley is engagement by Chamber members. This vision is one that has no Digital Divide, no Swiss cheese coverage of high-speed internet services, and Broadband for All.
 
Please consider these two invitations:
 

1. Jeff Reber, your Chamber Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Union County Board of Commissioners is encouraging all 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.
2. 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 your thoughts on this development and please consider becoming 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 thanks to 21st Century telehealth/telemedicine. Each of these rely heavily on connectivity resulting from affordable, accessible, and compatible Broadband and high-speed internet services.
 
Please indulge me one more time, to say: With connectivity our best days lie just ahead.