LAKE COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors (BOS) discussed the issue of broadband Internet access in Lake County during its meeting Tuesday in advance of a county-hosted public planning event set for this afternoon.
“This is the backbone. This is the future,” District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing said Tuesday at the Lake County Courthouse.
The BOS invited Cathy Emerson, broadband project manager for the California State University, Chico Center for Economic Development, to speak about the Upstate California Connect Consortium.
The consortium seeks to help rural counties develop and implement a broadband infrastructure plan.
Emerson told the BOS that a “lack of connectivity” is costing people the opportunity to utilize the Internet.
“We live in a world that requires participation from all of its residences,” she said.
Allowing areas with poor Internet access to gain “affordable and adequate” service would help businesses, schools, medical facilities and consumers communicate and grow, Emerson added.
Emerson said she plans to be part of the group presenting at the Lake County broadband planning kickoff meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the courthouse in the BOS Chambers.
The event begins the effort to create a broadband map specific to Lake County.
Also on the meeting”s agenda is discussion of a resolution passed by the BOS Tuesday in support of the “formation of a countywide broadband alliance to promote the expansion of broadband Internet connectivity throughout Lake County.”
Rushing and county staff also asked residents to visit www.lakecountybroadband.org and complete an online survey regarding Internet access to help supporters compile more accurate data about current coverage levels in Lake County.
By visiting the website, people can also learn how to test their Internet speed.
