Redwood Coast Connect – Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
1. What is Redwood Coast Connect (RCC) about?
RCC is a one-year pilot project working towards the goal of making broadband a vailable
to all rural communities in Del Norte Humboldt,
Mendocino, and Trinity Counties through
the assessing
and mapping the needs of users, engaging telecom providers, simplifying
policies and tapping the ingenuity of entrepreneurs in the region.
2. Why is there a need for this project?
According to the U.S. Government Accounting
Office, just 17% of rural households in the
United State have broadband
service? Both the State of California and regional leaders are
looking for
ways increase broadband use and access to all our rural communities. Community
leaders throughout the region
felt that if the demand or market
for high speed Internet connectivity
could be accurately assessed and
geographically aggregated, then the telecommunications companies
that
provide the infrastructure might be attracted to rural areas to provide service.
3. How will RCC work towards building a broadband market in the Redwood Coast region?
The intent is to begin to understand and build a robust broadband market
by increasing the supply of
services (especially to unserved areas) while, at
the same time, growing business and home consumer
demand in the region. The
project will take a look at government policies – both barriers and
facilitators
of broadband.
4. Why is this project important to our region, and to the state?
This project is based on earlier work over the past year by
the Governor’s Broadband Task Force, and is
planned to be the model for California. Other multi-county regions in the state are already inquiring about
project
details. This keeps the Redwood Coast on the statewide radar when it comes to
broadband.
5. Are there other models of “broadband service for all” in rural areas?
Yes! There are several other states with a large percentage of rural
land mass that have been successful
in achieving a high level of broadband
access.
6. How will RCC “assess the needs of users”?
There are three ways RCC will obtain input from individuals,
businesses, and organizations in the
Redwood Coast region: through mailed and
web-based surveys, through phone surveys, and through
community meetings.
7. When and where will the community meetings be held?
To date, seven community meetings are being scheduled as follows:
· Nov. 7, Weaverville, 5:30-7:30 pm, Weaverville Public Library, 211 N. Main Street, Weaverville
· Nov. 8, Crescent City, 5:30-7:30 pm, Cultural Center, 1001 Front Street, Crescent City
· Nov. 13, Willow Creek, 5:30-7:30 pm, Kimtu Cookhouse, Willow Creek
· Nov. 28, Ukiah, 5:30-7:30 pm, Location TBA
· Nov. 29, Ft. Bragg, 5:30-7:30 pm, Ft. Bragg Town Hall,
· Humboldt County: Eureka, Redway, 2008 Dates TBA
8. What will happen at the community meetings?
During the meeting, all participants will be asked to
complete a survey and, will provide additional input
about what broadband
service could do for them at their residence or their workplace. Participants
will be
asked to share what is happening locally already to promote broadband
coverage. The focus of the meetings
will be to learn about what could be
possible, that will be expanded into a set of recommendations
for policy
makers and telecommunications companies, and realistic plans
including a “policy toolkit” for
local governments.
To be successful, the meetings will focus on “what can
happen” and community-generated possible solutions.
9. Can anyone come to the community meetings?
Yes, the meetings are free, handicapped accessible, and light
refreshments will be served. Persons needing
special arrangements, such as
hearing-impaired, or non-English-speaking persons, are asked to request
assistance by emailing rcc@humboldt.edu , or calling the RCC office,
707-826-3919.
10. How can the public provide input into this process?
Community members can give their input through surveys (mailed,
phone, and web-based) and by participating
in community meetings hosted by Redwood Coast Connect throughout
the four counties. The surveys are an
efficient and cost-effective way to
collect information, while the meetings provide venues for public discussion.
11. How is Redwood Coast Connect supported?
Redwood Coast Connect is
a project of Humboldt State University
in partnership with Redwood Coast Rural
Action.
Funding was provided by the California
Emerging Technology Fund with a consortium of regional funders,
including
the Headwaters Fund, Mel and Grace
McLean Foundation, Humboldt Area
Foundation,
Redwood Region Economic
Development Commission, the counties, and others.
12. How can I get involved?
·
Help promote the
community meetings and getting others in your community involved. Visit the
Redwood Coast Connect website, at http://redwoodcoastconnect.humboldt.edu/ and click on ‘Get Involved’.
·
Watch for
announcements of a Redwood Coast Connect community meeting, coming soon to a
community
in your county. Come to the meeting, and bring a friend.
·
Answer the phone
when it is “Redwood Coast Connect calling…” and take the phone survey – only a
few
minutes of your time!
13. Who is Redwood Coast Connect?
RCC is a project conceived by Redwood Coast Rural Action
(RCRA), a network of community leaders from Del Norte,
Humboldt, Mendocino and
Trinity Counties, and implemented by Humboldt State University in collaboration
with RCRA.
HSU principals involved are the California Center for Rural
Policy, the Small Business Development Center, the Institute
for Spatial Analysis,
and the College of Natural Resources and Sciences.