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Published: May 09, 2008 11:28 pm
Broadband initiative gets boost
BY KECIA BAL
The Tribune-Democrat
SOMERSET —
With a state grant, Somerset County officials are trying to kick-start another local Internet initiative.
This one would bring high-speed, fiber-optic broadband Internet.
The concept is simple: Local residents and business people start by filling out a survey. Once consultants have a feel for the market, they help locals shop around – using a large group of willing participants – as the potential buyer.
A larger bloc of buyers would attract more competitive prices.
“We can get you more Internet and allow you to have enough space to change the way you do business,” said Kevin Dellicker of Dellicker Strategies LLC, a consulting firm in the Reading area.
With a grant of more than $100,000 from the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development, a group of consulting firms with the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania will be working in the county to begin the process.
The group is hoping to have a “snapshot of all different project opportunities” by May 31. Consultants plan to begin preparing a request for proposals during the summer.
The survey is available at techquestpa.com by clicking on the TechQuest Broadband link.
Commissioner Chairman Jim Marker said the move is overdue and key to local economic development.
“Our county needs to take a quantum leap ahead here,” Marker said.
Some local business representatives said the same.
“We ship our coal around the world, so we need this,” said Hank Parke, director of business development for PBS Coals Inc.
Marker said commissioners also have been meeting with Cambria County commissioners about linking with Cambria County’s new $5.5 million wireless telecommunications project.
Cambria borrowed money for the wireless “highway” and hopes it will become a money-maker.
Meanwhile, Public Benefit Broadband Inc. is working to connect parts of the county with wireless, the end result of a consortium formed more than three years ago, Marker said.
The county gave the nonprofit PBB access to the county’s 911 communications towers.
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