CARIBOU, Maine — Just under 300 local residents have responded to an effort to bolster Internet connectivity in Caribou. The Caribou Broadband Coalition, which consists of business owners in the community as well as City Manager Austin Bleess, conducted a survey at the beginning of the month asking if improved wireless access would be in the city’s best interest.
The coalition originated as citizens began approaching the city manager about the possibility of obtaining a more efficient Internet connection in Caribou.
“Citizens and business owners have approached me about Internet and the speeds they need to see in order for their businesses to be successful,” Bleess said. “The cost would be so high that it wasn’t feasible for them to purchase it, and broadband is something that Caribou Economic Growth Council (CEGC) has discussed, so I thought why not get people together and see what we could do.”
Though 300 have responded, about 4,000 surveys were sent out, which put the response at roughly 7 percent.
“We haven’t begun to tally all of the results yet, but we’ve looked at some of them,” Bleess said. “It certainly seems like something a lot of people would like. The survey is open until the end of this month, so we’re going to wait until then to compile all the results.”
No single Internet provider has been decided, but the coalition is looking at all the available options.
“This is one of the first steps in a long series of steps,” said Bleess. “Right now the coalition is exploring every possibility between doing nothing and partnering with a different company. Everything is certainly being looked at and has to be given the due diligence. Nothing is off the table right now. “
The coalition holds public meetings every other Monday at 10 a.m., either in City Hall or the Library. The next session will be held on August 8. The location is pending, but will be posted at www.cariboumaine.org/broadband in as the time approaches.
“Caribou is looking at something exciting right now,” said Bleess. “There are lots of possibilities.”
