The Carrboro Board of Alderman wants all of its residents to have access to high-speed internet, despite concerns about the initiative’s legality.
The Gig.U initiative is a nationwide effort to provide high-speed Internet access to universities and their surrounding communities. Carrboro, Chapel Hill and UNC are all part of the initiative.
“This is an opportunity to build an infrastructure that is needed in a digital knowledge-based economy,” said Kristen Smith, director of public policy and member engagement at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
She said it would also help to recruit the employers that the area desires.
Judith Blau, a Chapel Hill resident and UNC sociology professor, said she’s seen the effects of this type of program after one was instituted in Collins Crossing Apartment Homes, formerly known as Abbey Court Condominiums.
“It made a difference for the children’s learning,” she said. “Their end of grade test scores went up. They became very skillful with computers.”
But Alderman Sammy Slade said his goal is getting decent, low-cost services to as many people as possible.
“Carrboro’s main interest is to guarantee access to the internet,” he said. “In everyone’s home, you’d have the bare minimum of free utilities.”
Other aldermen worried about the enforceability of the contracts.
Because North Carolina municipalities do not have the power to regulate or franchise broadband in the state, Carrboro would not be able enforce contracts with service providers requiring them to provide free or low-cost services to low-income neighborhoods.
“We are not convinced that you can actually enforce the provisions of the digital divide,” said Catharine Rice, president of SouthEast Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.
She said she is worried companies will make promises they aren’t actually willing to keep.
“They’re going to know you don’t have enforcement authority,” Rice said.
The Chapel Hill Town Council moved forward with an identical initiative at its Monday night meeting.
Notable:
Alderwoman Lydia Lavelle was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The Board accepted a letter of negotiation between the owner’s of Johnny’s in Carrboro and the cafe’s neighbors. The cafe and it’s neighbors have had been in conflict in recent months after Johnny’s announced plans to serve onsite alcohol for its customers.
Quotable:
“I was thinking that sum could actually go to the arts,” Alderwoman Jacquelyn Gist said regarding the 3 percent hotel occupancy tax the Board of Alderman passed Tuesday.
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