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wireless hotspots already exist in Owen County. There is a possibility
that there will soon be more.
In its regular meeting Oct. 10, the Owen County Fiscal Court discussed
the Connect Kentucky Wireless Assessment, which indicated that
the community could benefit from wireless Internet access. While
no final decision was made— or will be for some time—
the court discussed the benefits and advantages wireless Internet
access would bring to Owen County.
A number of meetings have been held over the past two years to
determine expenses of such a venture and a subcommittee has looked
over a written plan. The most recent proposal puts wireless access
in the realm of possibility for Owen County, according to Judge-Executive
Billy O’Banion.
O’Banion said that when he first heard the idea of bringing
the access into the county, the price was estimated at around
$1 million. Since then the price has dropped considerably, and
could be only $125,000 to $130,000.
“I’ve had numerous requests for wireless and high-speed
access in the county,” he said.
Nothing definite will happen until sometime next year because
the fiscal court can’t obligate the community for financial
responsibilities beyond the current term, but right now, O’Banion
said he wants to determine the number of potential customers in
the county.
To do that, he’s circulating a petition for those interested
in utilizing the service to sign. The form can be found in O’Banion’s
office in the courthouse. Copies are also available to be used
in the community to secure additional signatures.
There are a number of benefits that could come from wireless Internet
access within the county. One of the most obvious and important
benefits is educational opportunities. While students all have
high-speed access available at school, not all of them are able
to access the Internet from home.
Naomi Cornette is the chief Information officer for Owen County
Schools. She said there are a number of advantages to having more
wireless access within the county.
“Students can have research tools at their fingertips 24/7,”
Cornette said, “as well as access to curriculum.”
The high school and middle school were equipped with wireless
access earlier this week. The elementary and primary schools will
soon have access in their media centers.
Cornette said this is just the first phase and eventually all
of the schools will be entirely wireless. The high school and
middle school have general coverage, with 28 access points throughout
the high school and 11 in the middle school. That may not always
be the case,. Additional access points can be added depending
on the number of “dead spots” within the buildings.
Children are not the only ones who could use the access to help
further their education. Adult education could benefit in the
same ways.
And high-speed Internet access can also help with economic development
in the county. It can give entrepreneurs the chance to run a business
out of their home, or even keep up with their business if it is
in another county.
Joe Mefford, director for the Statewide Broadband Initiative,
said the value of property is increased with broadband capability.
Someone who works in Northern Kentucky could live in Owen County
and keep up with work from home, if they had the wireless capabilities.
ConnectKentucky is the organization trying to bring wireless to
the community. It is part of a statewide project that was introduced
by Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Two years ago, only 60 percent of Kentucky
had broadband access, now the number has grown to 87 percent.
Mefford said the initiative is on target to reach 100 percent
broadband coverage by next year.
The counties considered for wireless access are those with the
greatest need and poorest coverage. Mefford said that while Owen
County is geographically a large county, it is sparsely populated.
Because the county is so large, he said topography was taken into
consideration, but there are no real challenges in bringing wireless
to Owen County.
“The only challenge is to pay for it,” Mefford said.
The cost for the county is based on the number of households that
would use it. A monthly fee would cover the cost in each individual
household. A final number for the monthly fee has not been set
yet, but O’Banion said it should be around $30 to $50.
Blue One, a company based in Lexington, is doing the same kind
of work for Pendleton County. A similar venture would have to
occur locally for Owen to begin the project. According to the
assessment, “ConnectKentucky also contacted multiple Internet
service providers to ensure that there were parties interested
in expanding into Owen County.”
No final decision will be made for some time, but O’Banion
encouraged those interested to come sign the petition, indicating
they are interested in the service.
In other actions, the fiscal court:
• Approved the second reading of an ordinance addressing
sexually oriented businesses in the community. The vote approving
the ordinance was unanimous.
• Discussed the completion of road work that has been done
throughout the county.
• Approved the request to adopt the Roadside Litter Pickup
Program, which would allow the county to pay local youth groups
and other organizations to clean up the roadside.
• Granted the request of Roland Motley concerning Tommy
Reed Road. It was a private request to run a water line down the
right of way of the road.
The next meeting of the court will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 in
the Owen County Courthouse.
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