Connect Somerset County to kick off broadband initiative survey
SOMERSET ― Somerset County residents may be one step closer to getting higher speed and expanded broadband access with the kickoff of Connect Somerset County.
Somerset County Commissioners announced Tuesday the launch of the Connect Somerset County Broadband Study and Survey. The multi-faceted project will identify gaps in high-speed internet access and connectivity throughout the county.
“Our goal of launching this broadband initiative is to bridge the digital divide that we know exists in the county,” said Somerset County Commissioner Gerald Walker. “Reliable internet access is necessary for our community to learn and grow, for residents to work, and for our local businesses to succeed.”
Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said the kick-off for this broadband initiative is very important for residents of Somerset County because by filling out the survey, the results will show where the areas of no service or limited service are.
"It will show that we have major gaps that are not served and areas that are underserved," she said.
The survey will remain open through Nov. 13. All Somerset County residents and business owners are encouraged to go to connectsomersetcounty.com to take a brief survey designed to assess internet needs in each community throughout the county. The survey provides the most accurate results when residents and business owners connect to their home or business Wi-Fi.
As residents complete the survey questions, internet download and upload speeds will be assessed and automatically populated. Participants will be able to view speed results before submitting the survey.
Useful data to community
The data collected from the survey and speed test will help Somerset County officials develop a broadband expansion plan tailored to the county’s unique needs.
“The community’s participation will provide us with the data we need to assess locations without high-speed internet,” said Tokar-Ickes. “More survey responses will lead to more accurate data.”
The survey results will help the county to apply for federal funding and invest in high-speed broadband internet infrastructure where it is needed the most. Tokar-Ickes said the results of the survey will be available in time for the next round of the federal funding application deadline.
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Federal funding available
Commissioner Colleen Dawson said $1.16 billion in funding will be available for Pennsylvania, out of the nation's $42.45 billion available. Each of the state's counties will be eligible to receive $17 million, she said.
"We have to show the need," Dawson and Tokar-Ickes said.
The official Connect Somerset County final report and proposed next steps for broadband expansion will be available to the public after the study concludes in 2024.
For questions regarding this study or to request a printed copy of the survey, call 724-495-4304 or email [email protected]. To learn more about the survey or to stay up to date on the latest progress, visit connectsomersetcounty.com and join the Connect Somerset County mailing list.
Redevelopment Authority applying for funds
Commissioners also approved a resolution authorizing the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County to submit an application to the Department of Community & Economic Development to use $692,168 in funds for projects from the 2023 Entitlement Community Development Block Grant Program.
Those projects include:
County of Somerset –$264,952 to be used to undertake a sanitary sewer improvement project in Jenner Township on DeMarco Road, and a sidewalk improvement project along Walker Street in Garrett;
Township of Conemaugh – $125,287 to be used for an owner-occupied, residential housing rehabilitation program;
Borough of Somerset – $117,358 to be used for a sidewalk replacement/water and sanitary sewer system upgrade on the 100 block of North Center Avenue;
Township of Somerset – $184,571 to be used toward Section 108 loan repayment costs for the previously installed Plank Road and Garrett Shortcut sanitary sewer improvements.
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New RTK position
The salary board approved creating a position and set the starting salary for a right-to-know officer/human resources administrative assistant at a range of $25,000-$28,000.
Somerset County Treasurer Tony DeLuca cast the only dissenting vote. He said he feels the commissioners are creating too many administrative positions, creating a bigger government. He suggested if there are positions open, the county should move others already working for the county into some of those positions.
Tokar-Ickes said the frequency of the commissioners receiving right-to-know requests has increased tremendously. So far in 2023, 91 requests have been received, compared to 23 in 2009. She said the chief clerk and interim chief clerk have been spending the majority of their time on the requests which have a deadline for response to keep the county in compliance with the right-to-know law. They don't have time to work on other county business, Tokar-Ickes said.
More: Somerset commissioners say they have no evidence employees abusing time-off policies
The commissioners will be reassigning the administrative support position for the Area Agency on Aging to include the human resources assistant director position. The shared duty will be a budget-saving move, they said.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Connect Somerset County to kick off broadband initiative survey