We Need Your Help: Residents Asked to Participate in Broadband Survey

The community-led effort to bring broadband internet access to Monongalia County needs your help. The Monongalia County Commissioners, in partnership with Ice Miller Whiteboard, Lit Communities and DLZ, are conducting a survey to gauge interest in a municipal network providing top-tier, affordable and reliable internet service to residents, businesses and anchor institutions.
 
“The importance of internet connectivity and availability has never been more apparent as we worked, learned and played at home during the last year,” said Sean Sikora, Monongalia County Commissioner. “Bringing high speed fiber internet to our residents ensures all have access to vital resources and services.”
 
When you receive your tax ticket in the next week or so, it will contain information about the online survey, which the county will use to create a map of what connectivity looks like in the county. Residents who are at least 16 years of age are asked to participate in the survey between July 15, 2021 and December 31, 2021. The survey, which you can access at https://monfiber.servicezones.net, should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
 
The survey is one part of the information gathering phase of the broadband plan. It will provide an analysis of needs as well as methods for increasing internet accessibility in Monongalia County. Survey responses support a community-led effort to bring high speed fiber internet to Monongalia County residents by quantifying the need for high speed fiber internet and identifying the most financially viable opportunities to begin the build. Survey questions will help identify the level of service desired in various areas of the county and will address issues like cost, speed and satisfaction with current service providers in the area.
 
If you have questions about the survey, please contact Monongalia County Secretary and Grant Coordinator Collene Coon at info@moncommission.com.  
 
About DLZ
With over 700 people in 28 offices, DLZ is one of the top consulting firms in the architectural, engineering, and surveying industry. The firm was ranked by Engineering News Record as Midwest Design Firm of the Year in 2016 and currently ranked as one of the Top 150 in the U.S. and the 11th largest in the Midwestern United States. DLZ professionals work together as a team to safely deliver a wide range of project sizes and types across the country. Learn more about DLZ.
 
About Ice Miller Whiteboard
Ice Miller Whiteboard is a consulting group with roots in one of the legal industry’s most forward-thinking providers, Ice Miller LLP. Ice Miller Whiteboard is designed to deliver complete, tailored solutions from within one high-level, strategic organization. The group brings a distinct perspective to the many industries it serves. Ice Miller Whiteboard professionals understand the legal intricacies of economic growth and development. Learn more about Ice Miller Whiteboard.
 
About Lit Communities
Lit Communities is both a forward-thinking builder and operator of next-generation network infrastructure and a consultancy that guides communities across the country through the complicated process of deploying their own open application fiber optic utilities. Lit Communities believes that by separating the network infrastructure from the services provided on it, a more resilient and consumer-friendly environment is created. This approach makes otherwise prohibitively expensive networks feasible to build in communities of all sizes. Learn more about Lit Communities.
 
This press release is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.