FRESNO COUNTY – Fresno County has announced a new survey to determine the quality of internet access for residents and businesses in some of the rural communities in the county.
The survey is targeted at the communities of Biola, Calwa, Cantua Creek, Caruthers, Firebaugh, Huron, Lanare, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Raisin City, Three Rocks, Tranquillity, West Park and Westside. These communities have previously been identified as some of the most in need in the county, according to Communications Director Sonja Dosti.
“Fresno County recognizes the need to bring high-speed broadband internet service to as many members of our community as possible,” Dosti said in an interview with Mid Valley Times. “We know that a lot of our rural and underserved communities don’t have access to good high-speed internet service, so we are trying to get as much input from residents and businesses as possible.”
Dosti said the survey asks questions about how people use the internet, such as on the phone, and whether people have to go to other places to be able to use the internet. She added that the survey seeks to find out how many people use the internet for school, work and medical telehealth.
The emergence of telehealth has added an even greater importance for high-speed internet access, Dosti said. Access often requires high-speed access to use video conferencing, which is not always available in rural communities. The data collected by the county will help to identify needs and improve the likelihood of receiving funding to construct networks.
“The survey gives the county a lot of data that we need to better inform us on how we can advocate for communities and apply for grants,” Dosti said. “That is part of the reason we need as many people in the communities to respond to the survey. Applying for those grants is crucial for receiving grants we need to be able to serve our communities.”
The survey was released on Sept. 9 and will conclude on Oct. 4. Fresno County is making a dedicated effort to encourage as many people in rural communities to respond by attending events, as well as working with libraries and local leaders. Dosti said the flier for the survey has been sent to around 600 community organizations. Dosti said that in the first week, the county had received around 500 responses and hopes to get at least 1,000 responses before the survey concludes.
Dosti said the county is meeting twice a week to discuss ways to improve responses from some communities, including to direct staff to attend events in areas that are underrepresented by respondents.
Residents and businesses are being encouraged to complete the survey. Dosti pointed out that business responses are particularly important as the need for technology has significantly altered the way business gets done even in rural communities.
The survey is available in both English and Spanish and can be accessed on the County of Fresno website or through a QR code found on the flier itself.
