PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Belomar Regional Council, in coordination with the Marshall, Ohio and
Wetzel County Commissions, is in the process of completing a regional
broadband study. The goal of the study is to identify the parts of the
counties that do not have good Internet access today and to quantify the
cost of building and providing quality Internet service to those areas. This is
the first step to seek grant funding and other revenue sources to provide this critical service to the residents and businesses in our region.

Broadband plays a vital role in fostering economic development activity,
educational opportunities, healthcare services and social connectivity. Furthermore, reliable connectivity allows first responders and
law enforcement access to data that could save lives.

The most important part of this plan is gathering input from the citizens,
organizations and businesses in the region regarding their current internet
service and what effect it has on households or businesses. Additionally,
what would better broadband service mean for households, businesses,
organizations or communities? Individual input is strongly encouraged.

RESIDENTIAL SURVEY

The residential survey is intended for households without good quality
internet service. We want to understand the internet options available
and the cost for the internet service. We also want to understand the
effect poor internet access has on the household.

Access the Residential Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWZFQWF

BUSINESS SURVEY

The business survey is asking businesses to tell us their broadband
story. We want to understand the effect poor internet access has on
businesses and how better internet access would help.

Access the Business Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWZFQWF

SPEED TEST

We are asking homes and business to take the Internet Speed Test. This
data will greatly assist our efforts in seeking grant funding. Without
speed test data, we will be required to rely on speeds reported to the
FCC by the existing providers in the area, which are often reported
higher than the homes or businesses receive.

Access the Speed Test: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQ67KDK

NO INTERNET SERVICE

Households and businesses without internet service can complete the
online survey from any location. The survey can also be picked up from
a local public library or by contacting Belomar Regional Council at (304)
242-1800.