Wednesday, Jan 18 2012 1:19PM
Washington State Representative John McCoy introduced legislation to provide rural communities in the state with broadband access.
Washington State Representative John McCoy recently introduced a bill that would bring broadband Internet connectivity to rural communities in the state.
McCoy heads the House Technology, Energy and Communications committee, and is trying to get broadband access implemented in public-utility and rural port districts without sufficient Internet access.
"Everybody agrees we have undeserved areas," McCoy said at a meeting regarding the matter in Olympia. "But we do not have Internet service providers willing to go out to those extreme rural areas to deliver service. So the question is: how do we get them served?"
McCoy's legislation aims to build broadband cables in communities lacking them, which he said will attract Internet service providers to set up operations in the area and help supply direct broadband service to those residents without connections.
Lawmakers will continue to hold public meetings to discuss the legislation and hear from the public.
In 2009, Monica Babine, co-director of Rural Bridges at Washington State University Extension's Center to Bridge the Digital Divide, told the Washington State Magazine expanding rural broadband access allows for considerable economic growth in areas in need.
For further information, check out these sources:
Tukwila Reporter,
Washington State University