More ‘Listening Sessions' Scheduled For Input On Nebraska Broadband Needs, Programs

From Nebraska Examiner:

By Paul Hammel

April 29, 2023

LINCOLN — More “listening sessions” have been scheduled to gather input from rural Nebraskans on their need for high-speed internet services and state programs intended to expand broadband.

The sessions are being hosted by the Nebraska Public Service Commission along with the Nebraska Broadband Office and the office that handles technology needs for state offices.

Listening sessions are scheduled:

• Monday at 5 p.m., Valentine, Mid-Plains Community College, 715 E. Highway 20.
• Tuesday at noon, Ainsworth, The Connection, 224 N. Main St.
• Tuesday at 5 p.m., Stuart, Stuart Auditorium, 204 Parnell St.
• Wednesday at noon, O’Neill, Evergreen Assisted Living 1600 N. Harrison St.
• Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., Columbus, Central Community College, 4500 63rd St.
• May 8 at 5 p.m., Sidney, Cheyenne County Community Center, 627 Toledo St.
• May 9 at noon, Scottsbluff, Guadalupe Center, 1200 E. Ninth St.
• May 9 at 5 p.m., Chadron, Chadron State College, Scottsbluff Room, 1000 Main St.
• May 10 at 5 p.m., Alliance, Knight Museum, 908 Yellowstone Ave.
• May 11 at 5 p.m., Ord, Ord Learning Center 1514 K St.

Information will be presented on several programs, including the federal BEAD program and the Digital Equity Planning Initiative, as well as the current state of broadband expansion and affordability.

Nebraskans want accountability from their elected officials and government. They want to know whether their tax dollars are being well-spent, whether state agencies and local governments are responsive to the people and whether officials, programs and policies are working for the common good. The Nebraska Examiner is a nonprofit, independent news source committed to providing news, scoops and reports important to our state.