Five Vermont communities have agreed to form a communication union district with a goal of bringing fast internet speeds into homes.About 89 percent of ballots from Shelburne, Essex, Essex Junction, South Burlington, and Williston voted yes. The Vermont Community Broadband Board assisted in getting this proposal on the ballot for voters to decide on Tuesday.”They want to be a part of the future,” Rob Fish, deputy director for VCBB, said. “Right there it says that there is a demand, and they want to make it loud and clear to the rest of Vermont and the rest of the country and providers around the country that they want a fiber connection, they want unlimited speed, they want accountability.”The communication union district will help form communication infrastructure. They plan on working with existing and new internet providers to make sure that internet connection is stronger, and that coverage is fair and equitable. Only 30% of Chittenden County homes have high-speed internet. In Williston, about 140 homes don’t have stable broadband access. Of their 5,369 voters that submitted a ballot for the midterm, 87% voted yes to form this district.Town Manager Erik Wells said this is something they need to bring their internet access into the 21st century.”We’ve got pockets of our residents who don’t have access to good broadband,” Wells said. “You’re lucky to have one person who’s able to check their email and get online.”The next step in this process is to officially form the district. Each community will need to appoint a representative but volunteers are welcome as well. You can reach out to your town or city manager, or the VCBB for more information.
Five Vermont communities have agreed to form a communication union district with a goal of bringing fast internet speeds into homes.
About 89 percent of ballots from Shelburne, Essex, Essex Junction, South Burlington, and Williston voted yes.
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The Vermont Community Broadband Board assisted in getting this proposal on the ballot for voters to decide on Tuesday.
“They want to be a part of the future,” Rob Fish, deputy director for VCBB, said. “Right there it says that there is a demand, and they want to make it loud and clear to the rest of Vermont and the rest of the country and providers around the country that they want a fiber connection, they want unlimited speed, they want accountability.”
The communication union district will help form communication infrastructure. They plan on working with existing and new internet providers to make sure that internet connection is stronger, and that coverage is fair and equitable.
Only 30% of Chittenden County homes have high-speed internet.
In Williston, about 140 homes don’t have stable broadband access. Of their 5,369 voters that submitted a ballot for the midterm, 87% voted yes to form this district.
Town Manager Erik Wells said this is something they need to bring their internet access into the 21st century.
“We’ve got pockets of our residents who don’t have access to good broadband,” Wells said. “You’re lucky to have one person who’s able to check their email and get online.”
The next step in this process is to officially form the district. Each community will need to appoint a representative but volunteers are welcome as well. You can reach out to your town or city manager, or the VCBB for more information.
