Addressing the need for broadband service in rural somerset
Portions of Somerset County have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to lack of available broadband. Poor broadband infrastructure in rural areas has resulted in many individuals and families lacking the opportunity for online studies, teleworking, and telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to respond to, mitigate, and facilitate compliance with COVID-19 related health measures, the Somerset County Commissioners have established a grant program that aims to provide reliable broadband internet to rural communities that are currently unserved or underserved. The grant program is intended to provide financial assistance to construct and install infrastructure, which is necessary to provide broadband service in communities where broadband service does not currently exist and in certain areas where internet service is limited. The grants should facilitate distance learning during school closings, as well as improve teleworking and telemedicine capabilities to enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions. Grants should ensure that Somerset County’s rural consumers enjoy the same quality and range of broadband services as are available in non-rural communities. Funding for this grant comes from The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.