By Jessie Weisner (Twitter: @Jessie__Weisner)

Broadband public engagement session in Nordegg displays widespread support

May 24, 2018 | 9:52 PM

Clearwater County hosted the first of three public engagement sessions on broadband internet access yesterday evening in Nordegg.

Roughly 30 residents were in attendance, asking questions about how the service will be paid for, how much the service will be, and the projected timeline.

“I’m concerned about the cost recovery, and where the money’s going to go,” says Neil Haubrich, a Nordegg resident. “But, it will attract people, it will help people.”

A common concern that the broadband service will be funded with tax dollars resonated throughout the room, but Clearwater County Reeve John Vandermeer says the goal is to avoid that.

“I did mention to the group that we do have reserves set aside at the County to fund moving this project forward, so I do not anticipate increases in residential taxes to pay for this,” said Vandermeer. ”Once the system is in place and the revenues are starting to roll in, it no doubt will contribute to lowering taxes in the long run.”

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Vandermeer added that the County has set aside $10,000,000 in reserves for the wide-internet service.

Despite the concerns, the majority of residents voiced support for the broadband service, saying it creates a more sustainable community.

“I think it makes rural communities more sustainable for people of all ages, particularly young families. In Nordegg, we don’t have a school, so online education is huge,” says Hannah Landon, Director of the Explorer Outdoor Leadership program at Prairie College. “I think continuing education for adults would be a lot more accessible this way, so people could stay in rural places rather than relocating to the city.”

“There’s a net positive growth aspect from it, you’ve seen people come into the community, stay in the community,” says Brian Foster, resident of Nordegg. “More individuals with high paying jobs, benefits, the families are staying, its very sustainable, and if we don’t do it we will be losing out to other communities that cease the day.”

The County says that a solid draft-plan is hoped to be released by the end of summer.

In the meantime, two more public engagement sessions are scheduled for next week in Caroline and Leslieville.