Albany County launches rural broadband expansion

SLINGERLANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) --  As we continue to follow cell-phone dead zones across Albany County — local leaders say they’re taking new steps to closing the digital divide. In rural parts of Albany County, internet access is still hard to come by — a problem that’s impacted students, families, and small businesses for years. Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy says a multi-million-dollar project is now aimed at changing that.

Mccoy says the county invested $3.2 Million Dollars of ARPA funding to bring broadband to about 1,000 homes and businesses across Coeymans, Berne, Westerlo, Rensselaerville, Knox, New Scotland and Bethlehem. McCoy explained how the coverage area was selected, saying, "The addresses were selected based on the FCC National Broadband Map and then redefined through a series of site visits and other considerations. So it wasn’t that we just picked someone’s tree and said, ‘Hey, they’re going to get it and they’re not there.’ And to get the fiber optic through these communities, it was not easy."

"Without broadband access, they really are isolated from their peers and services, quite honestly, the programs and services that many kids need." said McCoy. Educators say the impact could be transformative for students in those areas. David Little, Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State, said that internet access is vital for education, "Without broadband access, they really are isolated from their peers and services, quite honestly, the programs and services that many kids need."

Little also said a lack of connection can put rural students at a significant disadvantage — especially as more classrooms rely on technology every day. He continued, saying, "Many of the assignments themselves, schools have students put them over the Internet for grading purposes and to turn in their assignments in the days of turning in a piece of paper in the morning are typically over. So, it’s really difficult for them to try and get their work done and have the same kind of educational experience that their suburban and urban counterparts would have."

Congressman Paul Tonko said that access to reliable internet is no longer a luxury — but a necessity in modern life. "From telehealth to homework. It ranges from small business sales to outreach and making certain that, again, communication connection with the outside world, addressing the quality of life and dignity of life. So, it’s an essential tool." said Tonko.

McCoy said the project is about more than convenience but ensuring that every family has the same opportunities. "It’s just a part of life in school to interconnect with school for students to come home, be able to do their homework online, to submit their papers, to research online. They need this internet." said McCoy.

The county plans to continue the broadband installations throughout more communities in Albany County, with the goal of bringing rural communities one step closer to full connectivity.