Laurel Highlands Today

Take the survey before midnight January 15 to help officials identify connectivity needs in your area.

BROADBAND INTERNET SURVEY DEADLINE APPROACHES

Fayette County residents have until midnight on Jan. 15 to complete the “Fast. Fiber. Fayette.” broadband connectivity survey. 

Formally known as the Broadband Data Collection and Feasibility Study, the survey aims to show where investments are needed to ensure all residents have access to high-speed, affordable internet. 

To date, nearly 1,000 surveys have been completed by people living and working throughout Fayette, with the highest participation coming from Franklin, South Union, North Union and Perry townships and the City of Uniontown. 

Fayette County Commissioners Dave Lohr, chairman; Vince Vicites and Scott Dunn, partnered with Michael Baker International to develop the survey and associated marketing materials. 

Fayette County Economic Development Coordinator Mark Rafail said the survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is already helping officials outline plans for providing what has become an essential utility. 

“Working with Michael Baker has really opened the county’s eyes to where our broadband deficiencies lie. It’s our hope that more residents and businesses will participate in the survey’s final days, so we can really get a true mapping of where we need to focus our energy moving forward,” Rafail said. “We want to, first and foremost, help those folks who don’t have internet at all finally get online and help those who have slow internet get something faster, so they can work at home, play at home, and make Fayette County a statewide leader in connectivity. We want to give everyone access to broadband that is worth using, both financially and efficiently.” 

By participating in the survey, residents will be entered for a chance to win one of more than 200 Fayette County logoed items. Sponsored by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, the prizes will be available to pick up at the chamber office, 65 West Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401. 

Additionally, the county has access to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which can help address gaps in connectivity and aid in improving Fayette’s economic development, public safety, agriculture, education, healthcare, quality of life and much more. 

Existing internet speeds will also be tested during the survey, allowing residents to see their speed results in real time. 

To access the survey directly, please visit www.ConnectFayettePA.com. Questions or comments can be submitted via the contact form on the survey website. 

For more information, visit www.fayettecountypa.org/837/Economic-Development or contact Mark Rafail at 724-430-1200, ext. 1501, or mrafail@fayettepa.org.   

To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org. 

Editor's Note: Image attached (Broadband Internet Survey)

This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.

For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info  or Kaylie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.       

Original source can be found here.