Attendance:

Matt Miller
Andrew Cohill
Sid Boswell
Shelly Dudley
John Strutner
Kerry Eakins
Jeff Alleman
Dave Kleppinger
Jennifer Unroe

1) Design Nine gave a presentation entitled "Vital Communities: Planning for Broadband Part II". Handouts of the presentation are available by contacting Matt Miller at mmiller@rvarc.org
2) The group discussed the proposed gas line extension from Route 18 to Low Moor, a $6 million project. Specifically, the question of fiber cable co-location was discussed. Co-location might be feasible, and at a low cost, but would likely be done after the gas line is built. The fiber would also have to fit into the region’s overall plan to provide future broadband needs of the community. Matt Miller agreed to assist in mapping the proposed line for inclusion into the plan.
3) The group documented various utility providers in the region.
a. Verizon (phone and dial-up) SW corner of County
b. nTelos (phone and internet)
c. Rapid Communications (Cable TV and internet in populated areas)
d. Clear View TV Cable (Callaghan area)
e. Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative
f. BARC Electric Cooperative
g. Dominion Power
h. CSX Railroad-Communications
4) The next step of the Broadband Planning Process is to conduct a survey. Andrew Cohill indicated that the survey would be available online. The group discussed ways to publicize the survey. Dave Kleppinger agreed to talk to the Chamber of Commerce about using their email list. Mr. Kleppinger also thought he could get the survey information out via some tools at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Mr. Eakins thought that the survey could also be publicized on Channel 4 (Rapid Cable) if the message was about 40 words. Andrew Cohill agreed to write a short article for the newspaper that could be published at about the same time. (Dr. Cohill will forward the article to Shelly Dudley). Matt Miller indicated that paper copies of the survey should be available, if requested. Mr. Miller agreed to be the contact for the distribution/collection/tabulation of any paper surveys.
5) The group agreed that the newspaper should be invited to the next meeting. It was also suggested that the newspaper be encouraged to write an editorial about the importance of the broadband planning process. The next meeting could also be made more open to the public via the newspaper articles.