The economic and quality of life issues for better broadband are part of the discussion for a statewide listening tour that ends in Jacksonville Wednesday.
The educational event will provide information on how other communities and states have solved the issue for their jurisdictions. The Jacksonville session is set for 6PM, Wednesday, January 30, 2019. Due to logistic issues, the event has been moved to Jacksonville City Hall, Council Chambers, 815 New Bridge Street, right across the street from the Jacksonville Youth Center. Parking is available on the Johnson Boulevard side of City Hall and along New Bridge Street.
Jacksonville is third site hosting a statewide conversation about high speed and reliable broadband access for all of the State.
Christopher Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance will speak of innovative projects that are taking place across the country and how North Carolina Communities can do the same.
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is an organizer of the event with the NC League of Municipalities and NC Broadband Matters – a group promoting gigabit access for North Carolina. The partnership seeks to facilitate community discussions about improving the availability of fast, affordable, and reliable, broadband Internet access throughout the state.
League officials, including Jacksonville Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lazzara who is president this year, say they have heard communities complain that without high-speed and reliable networks, they will be left behind economically and could miss out on key economic opportunities.
The session will feature presentations from local and national experts, a question and answer session and time to network with community members interested in improving local connectivity.
More information and tickets for the event are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-connect-jacksonville-tickets-54356800654