Wednesday, Jan 4 2012 2:43PM
Colorado state Senator Gail Schwartz met with residents to discuss economic problems facing the state, including the lack of broadband access in some rural areas.
Colorado state Senator Gail Schwartz met with residents in Aspen recently to discuss issues facing local residents, including the need for broadband access statewide and the lack of small business growth.
"I think that it's a crime that there's such a disparity for our schools and for our hospitals across the state that don't have connectivity we need," she told the Aspen Times. "Those economies will continue to be not successful to the extent that we do not have broadband into those markets."
Additionally, Schwartz and her colleagues discussed ways in which small businesses can improve through government programs. Dwayne Romero, former economic development director for Colorado, told the paper financial assistance is available for a variety of small businesses statewide.
Some other rural areas nationwide are still dealing with limited or no access to broadband connectivity, such as residents of rural Idaho communities. According to a study cited by the Magic Valley Times-News, roughly one in six Idaho residents has no broadband access.
For further information, check out these sources:
Aspen Times,
Magic Valley Times-News