The Patrick County Broadband Committee is excited that the Tourism Advisory Council has included $60,000 for broadband initiatives in their 2020 budget. The TAC realizes that improved broadband services will promote tourism, which is an important revenue source for our county. Tourists, especially those staying overnight, expect to remain connected through internet while here.
TAC funds do not come out of county general tax revenues and are designated for initiatives to promote tourism. With the current difficult county financial condition, it would be hard to include broadband funding in the county budget. The money provided by the TAC will help the county meet matching fund requirements for grants to support a county-wide broadband improvement program. We are grateful to the TAC and are investigating other non-general revenue fund sources.
If you have not completed your broadband survey, the time is almost up. With approximately a week to go, don’t miss out on the chance to help the county get grants to begin needed improvements to broadband services.
Spend five minutes online to complete the survey at http://bit.ly/pcbroadband or complete a paper copy and leave it at one of the businesses all over the county who have the forms. For a list of locations or if you have questions call Amy Walker at (276) 693-2006.
The next broadband committee meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 in the Patrick County veterans Memorial Building (administration building) second floor conference room. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Steve Terry
Chairman, Patrick County Broadband Committee