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Marion County Economic Broadband Initiative

Goal: To improve broadband in the county to enhance economic development, access to education, public safety, access to healthcare, and overall quality of life through improved livability.

The county does not intend to be a broadband provider but rather to help identify barriers to accessible, reliable, and affordable broadband, and to help convene broadband providers to enhance broadband services to underserved areas.

Economic Broadband Study

The county is conducting an Economic Broadband Study and has contracted with Magellan Advisors, a broadband consultancy firm, to conduct a study to identify the level and capacity of existing broadband internet throughout the county. Data obtained through the study will be used to identify unserved and underserved areas and to produce a countywide broadband strategy to improve broadband access, reliability, and affordability, particularly in rural communities.

Online Survey

Marion County wants to make sure our communities have abundant broadband for economic development and to support connected communities and people. To do this, we need to understand what kind of internet technology you have, how it is used, how it is working for you. Please take a moment to complete the online survey by clicking the link below. Please take the survey from a home computer or laptop that is connected to a home network or business line, not a mobile hot spot.

http://bit.ly/MarionBroadband

​Focus Groups

In addition to the online survey, Magellan Advisors and Leland Consulting Group will be holding community focus group discussions with area businesses to learn more about the role broadband plays in their industry and its impacts on business innovation and growth. The county is seeking 10-15 individuals to represent each industry group listed below. Focus group sessions will be facilitated by representatives from the consultant firm and will last no more than 90 minutes. Please click on the appropriate category to confirm your attendance.

Educators (Curriculum) Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 7:30 AM

Location TBD. Pastries and coffee will be provided.

Local Business Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 9:30 AM

Location: 626 High St NE Suite 200, Salem, OR

Entrepreneurs, Start Ups, and Techies Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 11:30 AM

Location: 626 High St NE Suite 200, Salem, OR​. Lunch will be provided for participants who rsvp.

Emergency Management/First Responders Session - Wednesday, April 4th at 8:30 AM​

Location: 555 Court St NE, Suite 5231, Salem OR. Pastries and coffee will be provided.

Agriculture/Farmers Session - Wednesday, April 4th at 1:00 PM

Location: 201 E Main St Silverton, OR

Manufacturers Session - Wednesday, April 4th at 3:00 PM​

Location: 201 E Main St Silverton, OR

Silverton Community Discussion - Wednesday, April 4th at 5:00 PM

Location: 201 E Main St Silverton, OR

N. Santiam River Canyon Sessions

NSRC Community Conversation - Tuesday, April 3rd at 8:00 AM

Location: 647 NE Santiam Blvd. Mill City, OR

General Business Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 9:30 AM

Location: 140 E Sorbin St, Gates, OR

Forestry, Agriculture, & Manufacturing Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 11:30 AM

Location: 140 E Sorbin St, Gates, OR. Lunch will be provided for participants who rsvp.

Retail and Tourism Session - Tuesday, April 3rd at 2:00 PM​

Location: 140 E Sorbin St, Gates, OR

N. Santiam River Canyon Cities and Government Agency Session - Wednesday, April 4th at 11:30 AM

Location: 140 E Sorbin St, Gates, OR​. Lunch will be provided for participants who rsvp.​

If you would like more information about the focus group sessions please contact Danielle Gonzalez at dgonzalez@co.marion.or.us or (503) 589-3235

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