COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Need for Adequate Internet Connectivity

In 2019, the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) was awarded a grant to coordinate a feasibility study in order to inventory existing broadband assets, to identify gaps in service, and to develop a plan for improving broadband services throughout the region.

As part of the study, SAP&DC is conducting a survey to assess current levels of broadband service and needs.

SAP&DC has contracted with Design Nine, Inc., from Blacksburg, Va., to assist with the eight-county broadband study. Outreach efforts began earlier this year and there have been more than 4,200 residential surveys and 280 business surveys completed.

Adequate internet connectivity is critical to so many aspects of our daily lives and now, with the pandemic emphasizing the need for reliable broadband infrastructure, the information gathered from the survey responses is of significant value.

Understanding the importance of this issue, SAP&DC is committed to continue identifying and implementing broadband solutions across the region.

In order to assist with these planning efforts, please share this information or take a few minutes to complete the below survey prior to April 30, 2020.

Take the survey in less than 5 minutes by going to one of the follow websites:

For Your Home

https://tinyurl.com/BroadbandHOME

For Your Business

https://tinyurl.com/BroadbandBiz

For questions or more information, contact [email protected] or Zack Lee at (814) 949-6532.

About the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC)

The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) [www.sapdc.org] is a non-profit regional economic and community development organization serving Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties. SAP&DC’s mission is to address human resource development, encourage the creation and retention of jobs, and to improve the quality of life for residents of the Alleghenies.