Economic Development Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting and Broadband Informational Session
Recorded by Sharon Rossi
April 21, 2014
Members Present: Paul Renaud, EDAC Chairman, Andre Wood, EDAC member, Norm Nickerson, EDAC member
Also Attending:
Jerry Hunter, VP Information Technology, Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center
Sue Corcoran, Project Manager, NH Broadband Mapping & Planning Program
Molly Donovan, UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist, Community & Economic Development
Andre Garron, UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist, Regional Economic Development
Carol Miller, State of NH, Director of Broadband Technology
Michael Blair, Project Coordinator, New Hampshire Broadband Mapping & Planning Program
Henry Underwood, Southwest Region Planning Commission
Zeb Wood, Greenfield resident
7:00 p.m. Broadband Meeting
MBlair offered historical information about the mapping program. In February 2009, Pres. Obama released funds related to high speed internet and broadband for infrastructure. Network NH Now was formed. Every state in the union received funds for mapping for internet. Mapping is done every six months and rolled into the national map. MBlair is very aware of the specific issues in the Southwest regional area. There are 71 internet providers in the state offering all types of service. He shares information with the providers about which areas do not have service even though the providers have provided information saying there is service in a location.
CMiller said because the internet has been deregulated, there are no taxes and that funding was lost. The lost funding could have provided funds to the town to institute physical lines to bring in internet service to the town.
AWood said he looks at broadband as a necessary utility for operating a mid-size business. We have to have the infrastructure in order to attract businesses to Greenfield. CMiller said having an actual philosophy quoted in the Master Plan would be a goal to achieve and when we leave you will have an actual plan and instructions on how to bring this about. There has to be money, and an aggregate plan in order to bring this about. Setting goals, objectives, creative solutions will all be part of bringing cable or internet infrastructure to the town.
MBlair said if there was a way to look at a regional consortium between the surrounding towns of Greenfield, this could be a way to bring a large provider to the area here. CMiller said that is where politics will be involved in getting this infrastructure started. AGarron said it is very important that this committee set up exactly what they want and then other towns might be looking at the same plan to bring this service to all towns. The town must set a benchmark/goal to reach. Before a vendor comes in, the costs must be known and shared costs should be known as well.
CMiller said to bring cable to Town, you have to ask what you can bring to Comcast that will give them a ROI within 3-5 years. Only a strategy with the other towns, as a regional group, would be leverage that could be used by the Town.
JHunter asked what or where do we want to be in 3-5 years. We need plans to present to a cable company that will entice them to come to our town.
NNickerson said we probably are going to have to put it to the town via a survey to find out what the townspeople want. Right now, it’s the residents who will be doing the funding as we don’t have a large business base at this time. CMiller said you’d need to get an estimate from the cable company to at least give the broadband committee an idea on costs for the infrastructure.
MDonovan asked have you talked to any of the surrounding communities about this. PRenaud said that would be a bit difficult to do at this time. MDonovan said we may be able to help you in contacting other towns via the SWRPC. Reaching out to the townspeople is very important. The other town that we are working with is getting everyone in that town doing a speed test and that is something that you should do. We put together a marketing plan for Moultonborough for the speed test. Speed test information will help MBlair in mapping and it will show the areas where there is no service.
Our goal is to leave you with information and a map on how to achieve that plan for you.
1. Speed testing
2. Peterborough and Francestown have some type of internet or cable and Greenfield is in the middle, so you would be the cog that could bring service to all areas. What would be a possible carrot to the provider, such as an empty pole that would connect the two surrounding towns?
3. Hybrid solution is to get a fixed wireless provider to come in; this would provide a conduit that connects the two communities. What is the potential for where you want to develop your businesses?
CMiller asked if the renewal of the telephone poles has been done by the town. PRenaud said he thinks the renewal of the telephone poles was done late last year, but is not sure if the tax bill has been sent. MBlair said it is up to the last provider on the pole to pay for further work on the pole. Towns have 6” location on the pole.
MDonovan said there are four deliverables for next meetings:
· Contact surrounding towns and set up a meeting to discuss a regional municipality for a franchise.
· Plan on how to market a speed test on the UNH website to provide better street information to UNH. Find 3 places to get this information to the residents. Perhaps a notice could be sent out with tax bills. Post cards or survey to be placed at library, town hall, recycling center and Harvester Market.
· Access UNH website to look at other cable franchise agreements.
· How to gather information from the community outside of the speed test, survey, talk to key informants, residential or commercial and find out which has priority.
MDonovan and SCorcoran left information on resources, speed testing for the committee. CMiller left information concerning franchises and the state broadband conference for May. She also left a map showing the different franchises in the state.
MDonovan said we can hopefully have two more meetings before the summer break. CMiller said that she can set up a meeting with Comcast to see what they are thinking and whether or not we can get an assessment from them.
MDonovan said they will bring back info on municipal broadband. CMiller said HB206 is going before the Senate this week for a vote on removing some restrictions concerning broadband. She will work through Paul to set up a meeting with Comcast.
NNickerson said we have a small industrial/business area, so the residents are pulling the weight of the cost. As the economy gets tougher, people don’t want to travel, so we use the internet for many more things, like purchasing.
PRenaud thanked all of the participants for attending.
8:35 p.m. Regular Business
PRenaud motioned to accept the last meeting minutes. NNickerson seconded. Vote unanimous in favor.
RCilley has resigned. AWood moved from alternate to regular member.
Next month’s meeting will be Tue., May 27, 2014.
PRenaud said he has to get an RSA 79-E application to the town administration. RMarshall suggested we give the samples of the application to the town administrator as it is the Select Board that will be enforcing this. NNickerson said give the templates to APatt and let him handle it. PRenaud will talk with APatt and let him make the changes and then let us know what he and the Select Board finally decided on for an application package.
PRenaud reported that JFletcher is going to start getting trade show information together for the town. As for the other events discussed previously with JMoran, we will just stay with the tradeshow idea for now. PRenaud will update the Select Board on EDAC issues sometime in May. It was decided that broadband should be the primary focus of the committee for the next several months.
PRenaud will get a mock-up of a broadband survey to the committee for editing and discussion at the next meeting, and then copies would be run to be placed about town.
9:11 p.m. Adjournment
NNickerson motioned to adjourn. AWood seconded. Vote unanimous in favor.
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