Patrick County is partnering with the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) to conduct a county-wide broadband survey to collect information from residents and businesses regarding Internet use, current service, and needs.
The survey gets underway on Monday, Feb. 18 and will run through April 3.
Members of the broadband committee and county officials encourage residents to participate in the survey, hailed as a first step to improving connectivity.
The survey is the initial step in CIT’s Broadband Path, a process that leverages CIT’s resources, experience, and expertise to develop a customized strategic plan, which forges private sector partnerships to help meet the county’s broadband goals.
“The survey is an essential first step to CIT’s process,” said Chuck Kirby, CIT’s Vice President of Broadband, “it enables a more comprehensive understanding of the county’s unique broadband needs.”
Information gathered from the survey will be used to create the county’s strategic broadband plan to help ensure residents and businesses have the level of service needed and are well prepared for the future.
“Patrick County citizens and businesses we need your support and cooperation with this survey. As a (parent/educator/etc.), students need to have access to the internet, both at home and at school, to succeed,” said Geri Hazelwood, assistant county administrator. “Broadband is critical to connecting Virginia’s students, citizens, and businesses. Your input will allow us to encourage the expansion of broadband to all areas of Patrick County. We thank you in advance for your support.”
Debbie Foley, former director of Economic Development and a member of the Broadband Management Team, said “We are very excited about this survey and look forward to the recommendations that will be provided by CIT in developing a long term broadband strategic plan. We are in desperate need of improvements and expansion to the existing broadband infrastructure. Access to high-speed internet is essential to education, and the future economic growth and prosperity of Patrick County.”
The survey will be available at https://www.wired.virginia.gov/broadband/broadband-survey/ or http://bit.ly/pcbroadband.
Paper copies of the survey will be sent home with students and distributed throughout the county.
Primary pickup and drop-off sites are the Patrick County Veterans Memorial Building (Administration Building), 106 Rucker Street, Stuart, and at the Stuart site of Patrick Henry Community College, 212 Wood Brothers Drive, Stuart.
