Below is an update I shared on Facebook this past week. Over the past few months, I have been working with the County Board in a VERY limited capacity as a citizen member of a telecommunications committee. Not a whole lot has been going on… And I think that comes down to a lack of interest by a majority of the formal County Board. No slam on them, but this is a subcommittee on a very technical issue… It’s not a great place to be if you are uneducated in the nuances of IT. But, I would argue this subject is one that impacts a lot of rural citizens in our county and is VERY important.
I had a lengthy conversation with Brandon Hovey last night. He is an active, elected board member that is heading up the committee. When I hung up, one thing was clear. We need some help. The committee lacks the gravitas of leaders in the county who can spread the word about the need for better telecommunication services.
We really need about 10 people involved in driving this project forward. We need local business leaders, farmers, and educators who can spread the word and share their stories is the need for infrastructure upgrades to move into the 21st century.
If you know someone who is passionate about this subject in Tazewell County, refer them to myself or Brandon.
Email me: Eric @ planetstahl.com
Email Brandon Hovey: bhovey @ tazewell.com
Residents of Tazewell County!
Is your internet slow? Did remote learning leave you yearning? Is a Ring Camera a dream because you can’t stream? Is it outrageous that your kids cant watch Camp Cretaceous? Is your Xbox second rate because it can’t update?
While the examples above may seem kind of funny… These are the realities of living in rural areas with a lack of high-speed internet options. They are also a sign of the serious infrastructure upgrade that is needed for Tazewell County. Business, education, and healthcare are more reliant on connected services than ever before.
I and the Tazewell County Broadband Committee need volunteers to help up make real change for our future generations of residents.
We need your stories of the real-life struggle. Business, Agriculture, and Academia tell us what you need to get your job done in the connected world? Ultimately, we need your passion as we look to add citizen members to the Rural Telecommunications Committee.
Contact me or Brandon Hovey from the Tazewell County Board for more information or to share your story with the board.