The COVID-19 relief bill has given $97.48 million in federal aid to Alachua County and the cities within it to spend on recovering from the pandemic. We are asking you to help us push our elected officials to use this money on high-speed fiber-to-the-home internet.
Sign The Petition
Speak Out at an Event
City of Gainesville Events
American Rescue Act Community Feedback Sessions
Four meetings, June 28-30
The city of Gainesville is seeking feedback on the spending of the COVID-19 relief money. If you believe we should be spending this on expanding affordable, high-speed internet to everyone please sign up for one of the online meetings and make your voice heard.
The cost of broadband in Gainesville is one of the highest in the United States according to a report by CCG.
Disconnected
According to the FCC over 28,000 Alachua County residents do not have access to broadband internet where they live.
Monopolized
With no competition there is little reason for private ISPs to invest in better internet or to lower their prices. Our only hope is a public option.
What is Community Owned Broadband?
Community-owned broadband means internet provided by our local governments, treating internet more like a utility and less of a profit center. This allows us to focus on speed, affordability, and equitable connectivity, not profit. Communities across the United States like Lafayette and Chattanooga have shown community-owned broadband creates jobs, improves equity, and grows our economy. Alachua County has some of the largest investments in fiber internet infrastructure in the country, and with new federal aid, it is time to invest in community-owned municipal broadband.
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Connected Gainesville Launches
WUFT
Rallying support is important for when they eventually face a city commission vote, Eastman said. “So what we’re trying to do now is begin the conversation and start to move in the right direction so that we can solve this problem and be a 21st century city,” he said.
That’s why a new president, Joe Biden, is calling for cities to install fiber internet directly to homes, referring to broadband as the “new electricity.” He knows, like Roosevelt did, that big
Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe said Friday that Gainesville could spend the money for wide range of purposes to help people and the city, such as rent assistance for families that are struggling and employment assistance.
