County economic development officials rate broadband Internetservice as more important than road improvements, and water andsewer system infrastructure, when trying to persuade companies tolocate and create jobs in West Virginia, according to a Citynetsurvey.
Seventy-eight percent of economic development leaders saidcompanies consider high-speed Internet a "high priority" whendeciding to locate in an area. New business prospects also wantbroadband that is affordable and fast, 66 percent of surveyrespondents said.
"The results point to the emergence of broadband Internet accessas a crucial factor in today's economic developing," said JackCanfield, whose company conducted the survey for Citynet, aBridgeport-based broadband provider. "Twice as many leaders familiarwith programs in other states believe the cost of large-capacitybroadband service in West Virginia is more expensive than it is inadjoining states."
More than 40 percent of those surveyed described their localbroadband service as "not very good."
"If 40 percent of people say, 'I don't have the tools in thetoolbox to sell this,' it won't result in jobs," said Tom Susman, aCitynet consultant.
Some economic development officials said they had lost businessprospects because of a lack of broadband availability, or broadbandthat was too slow or costly. Survey participants, who were asked tosubmit anonymous written comments, also remarked:
* "I have a project pending and will probably lose it based onthe costs of broadband."
* "The lack of high-speed service in rural areas totallyextinguishes the possibility of new small business start-ups."
* "We were looking at a possible location of a data center, andthe lack of affordable, large capacity broadband was a decidingfactor in them not locating in West Virginia."
Susman said companies that decide not to locate in West Virginiabecause of insufficient broadband service wouldn't likely give thestate a second look.
"They're asking if we have broadband, and if you don't, it putsyou at a disadvantage," Susman said.
For months, Citynet executives have sharply criticized thestate's use of a $126 million federal stimulus funds to expandbroadband, saying the grant solely benefits Frontier Communications.Frontier is building the broadband network, which will link to"anchor institutions" - schools, libraries, state agencies, healthcare facilities and public safety offices.
Citynet executives say the money would be better spent onbuilding a "middle-mile" broadband network that Citynet and othertelecommunications providers could tap into.
Reach Eric Eyre at ericeyre@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.
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