Individuals provide input for technology pilot project

Attendees of Friday's meeting to launch a plan to bring more broadband access to Fort Scott offered their opinions on various topics related to creating an action plan for the statewide broadband initiative.

About a dozen people met at City Hall to discuss the recent selection of Fort Scott as a pilot community for the statewide broadband initiative through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

During the round table discussion, participants answered questions, providing needed input for consultants who are helping the city put a broadband plan into place. Fort Scott is one of four to six communities the state will work with as pilot communities for the broadband initiative.

Friday's meeting was the beginning of the process to frame what will eventually be the city's broadband plan.

The meeting was facilitated by Bill Gillis, co-owner and CEO of VisionTech 360, a Spokane, Wash.-based company that helps clients with broadband availability and use, and Stanley Adams, director KDOC's statewide broadband initiative.

Gillis asked participants a series of questions to gather input that will be used to develop the city's plan.

The following are questions asked and responses from many attendees:

What is the most important change the community hopes to achieve through better broadband access?

* Director of Information Technology Slayden Davis- "To bring more businesses here and grow existing businesses."

* Director of Economic Development Heather Griffith- "Fort Scott needs something to differentiate itself, to make it grow. We need to support existing businesses before they look elsewhere for it." Griffith also said more broadband could "improve and increase wealth in the community."

* Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison- "Recruiting people to Fort Scott and bringing alumni back." Madison also said she knows of people in Fort Scott who have been laid off from their jobs because internet speeds are not efficient enough for their business needs.

* Zach Wimmer, representing Niece Products, a local company- "To bring in more business and improve the quality of life." Wimmer said he has seen companies have trouble with people not wanting to stay in town.

* Bourbon County Information Technology/GIS Coordinator Shane Walker- "Jobs and infrastructure."

* Casey Russell, representing the Kansas Research and Education Network (KANREN)- "To create a better standard of living" and improve four main areas of the community, public services, health care, education and economic. Russell said getting more broadband into Fort Scott will be expensive but "will make us stand out." Russell said the plan should identify roadblocks and help the city "move toward a solution."

* Local resident Curt Shankel- "To keep up with changes and compete with other communities."

* Mercy Hospital employee Christi Keating- "From the health care perspective, it would mean better services in the community."

* Barry Rice, representing RTS Electronics, a local company- "The benefits would be limitless. We're five to 10 years behind the curve on the technology list." Better broadband would give Fort Scott an opportunity to serve as a model for other nearby communities, Rice said.

* Mark Shead, owner of a local software development business- "Internet helps shape the community." Shead also said better broadband can allow a community to "stop being so independent on one industry to do well." Shead said his primary interest is "in making Fort Scott more attractive."

What is the greatest challenge in getting broadband, how do we overcome those challenges and which challenges are in most direct control of the community?

* Shead said there may be a cost savings tapping into existing fiber networks in town.

* Wimmer said maybe a cost-benefit analysis could be done.

* Micheal Bryant, vice president of Cobalt Medplans, said identifying market areas is important.

* Shankel said finding funding and sources of funds is an issue. Rice also said high costs are a barrier.

* Russell said a good idea would be to ask businesses about barriers they face in reducing costs of broadband, and talking to community members about barriers they face as well.

As a final question, Gillis asked attendees which stakeholders must be involved in order for a local technology plan to be successfully implemented, as well as how those involved can be most efficiently engaged in the planning process.

After discussion by the group, it was decided to gather input from five to seven people representing different aspects of the community, such as the business and education realms.

A first draft of the city's broadband plan should be completed by May, when another meeting of the work group will take place, Gillis said.