SOAR official urges Lawrence residents to take broadband speed test

SOAR Executive Director Colby Hall was the guest speaker at the Lawrence County Rotary Club meeting on Thursday and said only 3.7 percent of Lawrence County residents have taken a broadband speed test as part of a project to expand broadband into rural Kentucky areas. BSN photo/Lilly Adkins

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — SOAR Executive Director Colby Hall was the guest speaker at the Lawrence County Rotary Club meeting on Thursday and talked about broadband and how important it is to the area for economic development.

Several Eastern Kentucky counties are currently being targeted for testing to ensure rural areas have a strong digital infrastructure and to determine what areas still need more work in providing access to affordable, adequate and reliable Internet access so they can participate in a digital economy and society, Hall said.

Hall explained during the meeting that it is “really important” that individuals go to speedtest.ky.gov, where they can test their Internet. He said it takes approximately one minute to do the test.

Hall said that the test results could provide information that will help obtain funding to improve service in areas where it is lacking.

“I’m going to be honest, Lawrence County isn’t doing that well right now,” Hall said. “Lawrence County is at about 3.7 percent participation, and the more data we have the better. Broadband is as essential in this day and age as electricity and other services, and with the information we obtain from the users, we can create a road map to facilitate the need.”

Hall said economic development is a challenge and that it is hard for rural areas to compete with big cities for the industry.

“Since the pandemic happened, the workforce has gone from 10 percent to 50 percent of people working remotely,” Hall said. “That can be beneficial for Lawrence County. It’s a great place to live, and if you don’t get connectivity, we are out. With it, we aren’t dependant on businesses coming here physically, because we can work remotely. Jobs are available online, and if we have the digital skills needed, we can live here and work here from anywhere. We have way too much to offer to not get out there and get our piece of the pie.”