By NATASHA BRENNEMAN
Staff writer
A meeting is scheduled Monday night in Clarion to discuss the benefits of a new program that will bring high-speed Internet to Clarion.
The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clarion Legion Hall at 530 Main St. The goal of the program is to strategize ways for Clarion residents, businesses and regional partners to implement and make the most of the high-speed Internet access.
Representatives from Smart Growth America- national experts in community development-will be at the meeting to answer questions.
“This is the very early stages of the project,” said Dan Parker, Clarion Borough mayor and chairman for the Blueprint Community initiative. “This will be a boots on the ground meeting to start a work plan.”
Parker added that input is desperately needed to make the plan work best for the community.
When communities have access to high-speed Internet they can unleash economic opportunities that strengthen businesses, expand access to jobs and revitalize their downtowns, Parker said.
Ten communities, including Clarion, were selected to be a part of the Cool & Connected planning assistance program. The borough will receive direct technical assistance from a team of experts to develop strategies and an action plan for using expected or existing broadband service.
Parker said another goal of the program is to help the telemedicine field.
“One of the factors driving up the cost of medical care is a lack of technology,” said Parker, who believes that access to high-speed Internet would benefit patients of area medical practices.
Parker said schools also stand to benefit from the program.
“So much of what we teach our children is technology based, and some students may not have access to high-speed Internet at home,” Parker added.
He said students need the tools at home to continue the learning process.
Another goal of the project is to create an incentive to keep Clarion University students in the community after graduation.
By combining broadband service with other local assets, such as cultural and recreational amenities, it is hoped communities can attract and retain investment and people, revitalize downtowns and diversify local economies.
Cool & Connected is also designed to protect the environment by encouraging the reuse of existing infrastructure and by improving walkability.
For example, strategies that help communities reinvest in established areas can help preserve open spaces and farmlands and protect air and water quality, according to a press release about the initiative.