Internet access is critical economic development infrastructure. This is particularly the case in regions like Central Oregon with a fast-growing technology sector and a large and fast-growing number of remote workers. This need was further exemplified and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent transition to remote learning, remote health, and web-based business and employment models.

All communities and regions should be assessing their current broadband capacity against current and future projected needs for business and economic development, health, and education/training; and identifying public-private partnerships and other actions to improve broadband capacity to meet priority identified needs. Further, communities and regions should be prepared with prioritized infrastructure and access needs in order to maximize new state, federal, philanthropic and private infrastructure investments.

To this end, COIC is managing the development of a Strategic Broadband Needs Assessment, Feasibility Study, and Action Plan for Deschutes County. The primary objective of this project is to provide a strategic and prioritized plan using industry experts and stakeholders to identify broadband needs within Deschutes County. This plan will assist in determining the optimal systems, including hybrid solutions, that will serve the existing and future connection demands into and out of Deschutes County. The outcome of this plan will create a roadmap to identify broadband opportunities by studying geographical terrain, evaluating current assets, and assessing community needs. Reliable internet connection, especially during pandemics and other emergency situations like fires and floods, is needed more than ever.