It was not too long ago that access to high-speed internet was merely a convenience, but in today’s society that has changed. Now the lack of access could adversely impact the efficient operation of business or lessen one’s quality of life and is now more of a necessity.
The education of our children builds the next generation of workers, leaders and business owners, and the successful education of these young people, and our adults as well, is largely dependent on having access to technology. Internet access is also the backbone of keeping existing businesses and recruiting new industry in an ever changing high-tech world. Limited access to these types of services, like in some areas of Elmore County, adversely affects not only businesses but also its residences.
In order to increase the accessibility of broadband in Elmore County, an investment of private dollars in the countywide infrastructure must be made. Investment in the expansion of broadband access in Elmore County has not kept up with the growth we have seen in Elmore County over the recent years, and it has not kept up with the need we all now have for Broadband in our everyday lives.
The Elmore County Commission recognizes that there is a large portion of under-served residents in our county with regards to high speed access. Since this past May, in my capacity as the point of contact for economic development issues for the county commission, I have been working closely with the Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) to actively promote business opportunities in Elmore County. ECEDA is approaching this matter just as they would any economic development effort and are engaging cable/high speed internet providers making them aware of the investment opportunities present in Elmore County.
We are confident investment in infrastructure to increase broadband access will be made in the near future. We are also working toward putting a long-term plan together where public grant dollars or private investment dollars can be used to increase access. Good things are surely to come from these efforts as we all work towards improving Elmore County.
Bart Mercer