[Laney Griffo]
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — As the city of South Lake Tahoe grows and tries to develop new economies, officials are focusing on improving broadband access for all the residents and businesses.
The pandemic highlighted the necessity of broadband access but the prevalence of internet access started growing long before everyone was locked down at home.
A 2021 Pew Research facts sheet showed that in 2000, only about 50% of Americans used the internet versus 93% of Americans who used it in 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control classified access to broadband as one of their social determinants to health, which are “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.”
The City is no different in recognizing the importance of broadband. The City’s Strategic Plan, which council approved in March 2021, has built environment listed at the first priority.
Bullet 1.1 under built environment has broadband for all, and states the city’s goal is to, “connect the community via high speed internet to serve the needs of local businesses, residents, and attract remote workers to the region. Develop a broadband infrastructure deployment plan that identifies fiber hubs, last mile transit, relay points, and redundancy. The City should explore innovative broadband models (ex: community co-op, municipal) and funding opportunities to implement projects. The City will ensure access (broadband and devices) to underserved communities.”
Before the city can provide broadband to all, it must take stock of what it currently has. The American Rescue Plan Act provided $400,000 to be used for broadband and the council approved $200,000 of that to be used for a feasibility study.