Survey of OC residents eyes broadband connectivity for all

Orange County and the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission and Connected Nation Texas, is deploying an initiative to expand and improve broadband access, adoption, and use throughout Orange County.

This broadband initiative will be for the benefit of local residents and businesses. The partnership will work with Connected Nation Texas and their "Connected" program to assess the present state of broadband in Orange County, as well as establish a broadband planning process and plan to address current and future broadband needs.

The broadband committee will be conducting surveys of residents, businesses, and other organizations across the County. Responses to these surveys will help Connected Nation better understand the existing resources and capabilities to support access, adoption, and use of broadband technology in homes and businesses. The goal of the survey is to clearly identify unique challenges and opportunities for expanding high-speed internet in Orange County, so that every family, business, and community organization can access the critical resources needed to be connected.

Community broadband assessment and related surveys will be launched in February and will run through April. Results from this work will be shared with the public and will be followed by additional work to develop a Technology Action Plan to address identified areas of need.

The survey can be accessed at myconnectedcommunity.org/orange-county . Only one survey per household will be accepted, but all respondents are encouraged to complete a survey under each category that applies.

For more information, contact Jessica Hill, Orange County Economic Development Corporation at (409) 883-7770 or [email protected].