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St. Lawrence County Legislators offer support for improving broadband infrastructure locally

Posted 1/5/22

St. Lawrence County Legislators offered support for improving broadband infrastructure locally at an operations committee recently. The issue has long been trumpeted by legislators and state …

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St. Lawrence County Legislators offer support for improving broadband infrastructure locally

Posted

St. Lawrence County Legislators offered support for improving broadband infrastructure locally at an operations committee recently.

The issue has long been trumpeted by legislators and state representatives alike.

The lack of access came to the forefront last year when schools were offering remote learning due to the pandemic shutdown. Schools worked together to navigate the issue in some cases providing devices capable of creating a hotspot for students to use.

The resolution passed at a recent committee meeting and garnered final approval Jan. 3 at the county’s organizational meeting.

The resolution affirmed that the board of legislators "supports improving broadband infrastructure in the county and that any federal or state efforts recommended by the Broadband Committee will be brought to the attention of Representatives at the State and Federal levels to ensure their assistance is included.”

Legislators said broadband access is critical for efforts to support growth of the economy and for adequate education opportunities to be provided for all St. Lawrence County residents.

In St. Lawrence County rural areas of the country still rely heavily on copper-based infrastructure or satellite connections for broadband connectivity and that installation of more modern infrastructure is cost prohibitive.

County officials partnered with the Development Authority of the North Country to help “overcome the digital divide.”

A study showed that there were several pockets with limited access to high-speed internet. In the towns of Brasher, Canton, Oswegatchie, Parishville and Pitcairn 1,1019 households lacked access to broadband.