Archive: Around Town

On several occasions recently I've been asked what's happening with the broadband initiative. It's great that people are asking since the questions indicate that folks are interested and want the high-speed connection when it is available.

The expected date for completion of the project infrastructure has always been six months after the State funding has been made available, but we'd hoped it would be a faster process. The project is underway, utilizing Clarity's investment and private loans, but there is a limit to how much can be done until State funds are available for reimbursements. However, most rural residents in Lansing and the rest of Tompkins County will be able to access robust Internet service in the near future. The reasons for the current timeline lay both in the process the state follows with a grant like this one, and also with Clarity's efforts to find ways to cover the original territory despite the reduction from the original request that was applied for in 2012.

An update from Chuck Bartosch of Clarity Connect confirms that the broadband expansion project is, as most people know, backed by a $2.2 million NY State grant. However, even after a recipient is given the award, the State has a complex process before funds can be accessed. The State currently projects that the funds will be available by the end of April, 2014. The good news is that Clarity has been able to use the extra time to successfully work with the state to gain a slight increase in the amount of the award, plus raise other funds, with the additional investment specifically targeted to allow service to otherwise unserved residents in Tompkins County.

From the start, we have described the project as a county-wide effort. The Lansing Star article that highlighted homes in Lansing that have recently been able to access a high speed wireless connection demonstrated the county-wide nature of the project perfectly. Those Lansing homes cited in the article now have high-speed wireless service available via a signal from a tower in Enfield.

Those of us involved in the project certainly all wish that it were moving even more quickly. I want to assure you that the project will be completed. In fact, there are conversations beginning to take place to determine what would be necessary to reach those few homes and businesses across the county that will not be in reach of the wireless signal provided by the project. The areas that will not be reached present unique geographical challenges that will be difficult and expensive to overcome. Nevertheless, I believe that we should look at every option available to try to do so. In today's world a robust Internet connection is as important as electricity was back in the 1930's. No one should be left out.

Pat Pryor
Lansing

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