Aug 9, 2022
Closing the digital divide is an urgent need. There are immediate solutions at our fingertips
Closing the digital divide is an urgent need. There are immediate solutions at… Read More
Take Action, Akron
Let’s Find The Right Solutions for Akron
Akron is confronting many problems – from housing needs to public safety and transportation. Fortunately, once-in-a-generation federal funding through the American Rescue Plan gives us the resources to address the problems confronting our communities.
However, there are current plans under consideration to derail us from utilizing these funds to to help many people in our community in need of assistance.
Under this plan, Akron would work with Summit County to build and operate an unnecessary, multi-million-dollar government-owned internet network, which would take years to develop and deploy, and could needlessly saddle taxpayers with millions of dollars in unnecessary costs.
This project will also distract from bigger priorities that we still need to address, like teachers and education, roads, water systems, public safety, and other core government services.
This same approach of a city-owned broadband network has been underway in Fairlawn.
Their city-owned broadband network, FairlawnGig, has saddled taxpayers in Fairlawn with millions of dollars of debt due to operating losses in every year of its existence. And perhaps worse, Fairlawn’s broadband consultant – hired to help city leaders determine the best path to take regarding broadband expansion in the city – warned city leaders that they should expect these financial losses BEFORE the city-owned broadband network was launched.
Despite this disastrous track record, local leaders could still attempt to implement this approach in Akron. These efforts will implement the wrong “solution,” likely leaving those who need help most still unconnected.
Akron Deserves Better
Akron has the resources available to address community problems comprehensively but we need your help to ensure the right solutions close the right gaps to get everyone online.
Recent News
