Opinion: Use broadband to grow local jobs
The global downturn may have swept across continents in recent years, but ultimately, all suffering is local. And smaller cities and rural counties have shouldered a heavy share of the burden.
Some local government officials in these areas hope to use broadband to try to induce tech companies to build office buildings nearby for employees such as programmers. But it’s hard to justify these projects on a seldom-realized promise of big companies moving lots of jobs.
More important, these officials may be overlooking some essential new ways to market local talent globally. After all, even low-tech goods can be sold over a high-tech network. And, of course, low-tech can still mean skilled, artistic and unique. Nova Scotia, Canada, has helped several residents expand their local businesses by extending broadband into rural communities.
Read the entire commentary in American City & County, our sister publication.
