Page 69 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

“Broadband is a path to the future and … it broadband speeds in excess of 100 megabits per
is a very essential component of economic second (mbps).
policy.”
Benefits of Broadband
~Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Senate Commerce
Committee, January 18, 2017 • Emergency services communication and alerts

• Access to telemedicine and distance education
Why Plan for Broadband?
• Ability to telecommute
During the public engagement process for this • Access to markets/e-commerce
Comprehensive Plan, some participants pointed out
the lack of availability of broadband services, or in • Ability to provide high-level broadband to
some instances reliable and fast services, in certain businesses
areas of the County. This could be a limiting factor
for economic development and for attracting and Creating a Broadband Plan
retaining professionals and other skilled labor to Similar to creating utility master plans for other
live in the area. Users desire seamless connectivity components of infrastructure, to address broadband
irrespective of jurisdiction. It is also increasingly issues Pottawatomie County can undertake a
important to plan for “next generation” broadband, broadband plan, potentially with other public and/or
which involves future fiber technologies enabling private partners.

The role of local government in broadband planning and provision is varied as seen in
the diagram below:
Broadband User
• Assessment
• Stimulation
• Aggregation

Financier LOCAL Rule Maker

• Grants/Loans/Tax Incentives • Franchising/Licensing
• Equipment/Service BROADBAND • Zoning
• Planning/Training Grants INITIATIVES • Rights-of-Way (Conduit)
• Antenna Siting

Infrastructure Developer
• Institutional Networks
• Middle Mile
• Wireless/Wired Government as Financier/
Builder/Operator/Wholesale/Retail

Source: American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service Report Number 569

62 | Plan Pottawatomie County 2040 Adopted - August 19, 2019

PLAN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY 2040