The Rotary Club of Stuart called on members of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors for support of broadband projects and action on funding opportunities.
Board members are being asked “to take an immediate, action-oriented role in bringing broadband to Patrick County” in the April 19 letter to the board. “For the first time ever, state and federal governments are making funds available to rural areas such as ours to accomplish this goal, but we must act now.”
Th club noted that last year, “the people of Patrick County showed their commitment to bringing high speed internet services to our county. When Rotarians organized a massive fundraiser to pay for the engineering plan, people from all over the county indicated by their donations their willingness to do whatever was necessary to make our businesses, our children and our county competitive in the 21st century. And with the pandemic, we realize more than ever how needed that service is.”
The letter added “it is up to you now, as our elected leaders, to make the commitment and immediately take the necessary actions to make it happen, backing any initiative with the full weight, authority and support of the board.”
The club also called for transparency and access to meetings and presentations.
“We understand that RiverStreet Networks (RSN) is preparing to make a presentation to the board and that Appalachian Power might possibly be willing to join with Patrick County should we show the necessary planning and commitment to applying for grants. This presentation should be available to all concerned citizens as well,” the letter stated.
To that end, the club wrote that the presentation “needs to be in a facility with high quality internet where all citizens, via Zoom or another similar platform, will be able to adequately hear the details and have the option to ask and get answers to their questions with as much time provided as necessary. And it needs to be soon,” according to the letter.
“Most importantly, you must be committed to going forward immediately. Broadband will bring many benefits to Patrick County but only if we are prepared, ready and willing to act,” the letter stated. “This is an opportunity for funding for broadband that will never come again to this extent. Do not allow Patrick County to be left behind.”
