$90M broadband project a top goal

TORRINGTON — Economic growth in the Northwest region lacks a significant component: A fiber optic network.

Fast, broadband internet access is the top goal of a newly released plan called the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Coordinated by the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, the development plan seeks to increase economic opportunity for 21 municipalities in Litchfield County.

Partners in the initiative include the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corp.

The members conducted focus groups, studied trends and identified strengths and weaknesses of the region over a ninemonth period. Supporters say the need for businesses to send very large data files quickly and error-free, makes a broadband network essential for day-today operations.

“Fiber is what electricity was,” in the 1930s said Jocelyn Ayer, the council of government’s community and economic development. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 brought power to hard-to-reach rural areas, but no such federal program exists for providing broadband to the Litchfield County region. Ayer internet companies won’t invest in the infrastructure required for such a large project.

The scope of the project, and its cost, is immense. The goal is to install fiber optics to 75,000 homes in the region, at a cost of $90 million.

To support the project, homeowners would be asked to pay a monthly fee of $10 for 20 years, accord-

ing to the development plan.

Northwest ConneCT, a public advocacy organization, has offered two options for the project. One is community ownership of the wiring that would connect to existing utility poles throughout a community, along with private ownership of the wiring from the pole to the home. The second option is private ownership of the entire network. The organization’s timeline calls for construction to begin in 2019.

JoAnn M. Ryan, president of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, said the organization realizes the lack of a fiber optic network is a challenge.

“Money is one of the reasons. It is not inexpensive,” she said.

Ryan also noted that not having a reliable internet connection can be a safety issue for rural residents.

Fiber optics are “the foundation for other goals,” said Ayer. ”We need to do it now, ahead of other regions.” She said the council has a state grant to look at the infrastructure costs and help decide what private company could be involved in the project.

Presentations about the fiber optic project and an overview of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy will be given in a series of meetings in July.

Ayer will visit the Judy Black Memorial Park Farmers Market on July 14 in Washington, and the Five Points Gallery in Torrington on July 27.

More information on the presentations and the project as a whole can be seen at the council’s website at NWCTEconomicDevelopment.org.

Contributed photo Connecticut’s Northwest Hills Council of Governments is preparing to unveil an economic plan for the region that includes a $90 million broadband access plan.