Broadband symposium set for Friday in Johnsburg

JOHNSBURG — The town is hosting Broadband Symposium II to allow the three broadband providers to provide updates on their accomplishments over the past year and the plans for the coming year.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek.

Representatives from Frontier Communications, Slic Network Solutions and HughesNet will provide updates on the number of customers connected and discuss their future plans. Participating in the forum will be: Jan VanDeCarr, government and external affairs manager for Frontier Communications; Kevin Lynch, vice president for technical operations and chief operating officer for Slic Network Solutions; and a representative from HughesNet.

Each representative will be given time to review their company’s service area footprint in the three towns, describe the services being offered, and answer questions about new services, according to a news release.

Also present will be Johnsburg Supervisor Andrea Hogan, Thurman Supervisor Cynthia Hyde, Stony Creek Supervisor Frank Thomas and Chester Supervisor Craig Leggett. Residents of those communities are also welcome to attend. There also will be representatives from the offices of Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury; Assemblyman Dan Stec, R-Queensbury; and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville.

The state has allocated $225 million in Round 3 of the New NY Broadband initiative.

That will be matched with private investment to bring broadband to underserved areas.

Dave Wolffe of AdkAction will moderate the hearing. Wolffe retired after a 31-year career with IBM and moved to his hometown of Saranac Lake. He helped found AdkAction, which has a goal of creating projects to address unmet needs, promote vibrant communities and preserve the character of the Adirondacks, according to a news release.

Wolffe said that the three service providers will show maps of their service area and the services they provide.

“We want to make sure the residents of that part of the county hear the good news and find out how to access the services being offered,” he said.

For more information about the event contact the town of Johnsburg secretary at 518-251-2421, ext. 2 or Laurie Prescott Arnheiter at Hudson River Trading Co. at 518-251-4461.

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