PEMBROKE — The Lumber River Council of Governments, in conjunction with its members Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties, and the municipalities therein have been working on a broadband (internet access) demand study aimed at improving broadband availability within the five-county region.
The LRCOG and its member governments have been seeking the public’s input since June 2021 and are still in need of the public’s input into a Broadband Availability and Adoption Toolset survey. The goal is to have responses from five percent of the households within each county. Currently, the survey has only received approximately 37% of the needed responses from Bladen County, 43% of needed responses from Hoke County, 25% of needed responses from Richmond County, 66% of needed responses from Robeson County, and 13% of needed responses from Scotland County.
Individuals may visit www.lrcogbroadband.com to complete the survey or contact the Lumber River Council of Governments at 910-618-5533 to receive a paper survey or to complete it by phone. The response window is currently set to close on August 31, 2021.
The responses to the BAAT will help regional leaders identify and address current gaps in availability, speed/performance, reliability, and affordability. The survey will also help policymakers and county leaders better understand where gaps exist and therefore provide them with opportunities to consider additional funding mechanisms.
LRCOG Executive Director David Richardson stated that, “the survey is not only an opportunity for individuals to share information about their lack of broadband/internet access, but for those individuals with broadband/internet access to share challenges they are having with local officials.”
The study is being funded by a grant from the US Economic Development Administration.
