Erie County, NY – At the Erie County Legislature’s March 7, 2019 session, Legislator Timothy Meyers introduced a resolution regarding broadband access that was passed unanimously by the Legislature.

The resolution sponsored by Meyers calls for the establishment of an Erie County broadband network that would allow for high speed and universal Internet access to all county residents. Recently, the Buffalo News highlighted “digital deserts” that exist in parts of Erie County where access to the Internet or broadband/high speed Internet is severely limited or non-existent, which has corresponding negative effects on local residents, businesses and schoolchildren.

“I am grateful to my Legislature colleagues for supporting this resolution and understanding the necessity of Internet accessibility to all residents of Erie County. This is an issue that affects the city, the suburban, and the rural districts alike. The re-establishment of the Erie County Broadband Committee and coordination by local governments and community partners will go a long way to ensuring equitable Internet access for small businesses and families who depend on it for their livelihoods and their day to day lives” said Legislator Meyers.

A lack of reliable Internet access has been statistically shown to have a correlation with poor educational outcomes and increased levels of income inequality and problems for people seeking employment opportunities. More recent studies have shown that local Internet speeds are among the lowest in the country and that Spectrum is the only local provider to reach all portions of Erie County, meaning many residents do not have any options for a service provider if they are dissatisfied with their provider.

In 2017, the County completed an Erie County Broadband Feasibility Study that highlighted the need for collaboration through an Erie County Broadband Committee. In his resolution, Legislator Meyers cited the study’s findings and noted the study’s support for an Open Access Network (OAN) to provide the public and not-for-profit organizations with access to a municipal broadband network that could be maintained as a public utility. In addition, the report cited the need for a “dig once” policy that could allow for the laying of high-speed fiber optic communications lines when local governments are digging up roads and right of way to complete infrastructure projects.

A copy of Legislator Meyers’ resolution can be found at here. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the County Executive and the Governor, along with the city and village mayors and town supervisors in Erie County and other state and local government and community agencies.