Mecosta County officials are asking for public input on plans to improve broadband connectivity.
Some three years ago, Mecosta County got its first broadband connection. That technology, officials say, is already becoming obsolete. They’ve launched a survey to help gauge what kind of internet speeds residents would like to see..
Jennifer Heinzman is the Executive Director of the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce. She said “We collect as much data as we can from various facets of the community. We’re working with the libraries the senior centers, the schools, all of the businesses, really anybody that will take the survey. We want to get as much information as possible”.
Heinzman said there are residents in the county unable to connect to a high speed internet connection. She said internet service providers keep a close eye on demand, “They are tracking houses along certain roads if they don't have connection right now they have maps where you can go and place a pin and say if internet was there you would use it kind of thing. Then, as soon as they get to I believe it’s ten houses on that road they’ll come out and run a line”.
Heinzman said she’s hoping to see at least 1,500 Mecosta County residents participate in the online survey to help determine how much and where demand for the internet is greatest.
On the Web:
Link to Mecosta County internet survey: http://connectmycommunity.org/mecosta-county/