Letter to the Editor

The Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) recently announced they were going forward with the construction of a fiber-optic network that would provide high speed internet service to Appomattox County as well as other locations in their service area. Offering 100 mbps for $49.99 a month or 1 gbps for $79.99 a month. After many years of residents struggling trying to get reliable, fast and fairly inexpensive internet service, compared to other sources currently available, this is a huge boost for the residents and businesses in Appomattox County! It has been shown many times that high speed internet introduced to a rural community has generated major economic growth and rapid job creation plus better efficiency for businesses. High speed internet creates new opportunities in the areas of innovation, expansion, and ECommerce. High-Tech companies are no longer prevented from operating a business in the area; “Mom and Pop” establishments can now sell their products to a wider online audience; residents can see a benefit from shopping online; students and teachers can connect to online classes and research information for their studies, K-12 students can go online to do their homework or visit educational “help” sites; visitors are attracted to areas with a reliable, high speed network; communications devices would work much better with WiFi availability, so there would be better phone reception in many areas, which would also help first responders trying to communicate in current “dead zones”; families could stream movies and shows right into their homes; farmers could use the internet to buy and sell crops and livestock; online gaming could become a reality for some; and working from home could become possible. The positive influences and countless advantages of high speed internet to our area are endless! Bridging the “digital divide” would be one of the best things to impact this area. According to Yuri Hupka, author of “Findings on the Economic Benefits of Broadband Expansion to Rural and Remote Areas” posted on the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs website, “Educational and government institutions can use high speed internet for scholastic and vocational training thus building a competent and competitive workforce. Medical providers require high-speed connections to supply telehealth which can immensely improve health care in rural areas. Also, research indicates that adequately connected citizens are often more involved in their communities. By prudently developing and creatively financing broadband, rural communities can keep pace with the global economy and prepare citizens for participation and competition in the modern world.” CVEC is a not-for-profit utility that is member-owned, with its Board of Directors being elected from among the membership, so they are more accessible, and understanding of community concerns. CVEC’s attempt to bring high speed internet to our area may also be self-serving in some way, but isn’t that one of the goals we would like to see in a successful company? A business investing in a community through their venture while providing a viable service or product for the residents at an affordable rate? I don’t see any other companies stepping up to tackle the internet problem we face, so let’s give them our full support! Heck, this is the same company that brought electricity to our rural areas in 1937 when no one else wanted to make the attempt! I encourage the County Board of Supervisors to invest in Appomattox County’s future, and seriously look to provide the funding necessary to help CVEC to help us prosper! I also encourage residents to contact their County Supervisor and let them know that you support this project! The benefits of such a project, and the positive impact on everyone’s lives, are reasons enough to support this project!