Nhec members: We need your vote one more time!

Twags · 09-17-2020, 05:03 PM

In April-May, many of you signed a petition asking the Co-op to alter its bylaws, adding “facilitating broadband” to its mission. As you may recall, that initiative drew more than 64 percent support in the Co-op’s annual election — just 183 votes short of the needed 2/3 super-majority. Even so, the NHEC board heard you loud and clear, and immediately decided to get into the broadband business.

Now we’re asking for your help to keep this important venture going.

You may have received in the mail, or soon will, a ballot for a special election called by the NHEC. It asks if you’ll authorize its board to make necessary decisions to set up the company’s new broadband venture and own the required infrastructure. As before, this change in the utility’s bylaws needs approval by 2/3 of those voting.

The Co-op’s board voted unanimously to support the change, and the grassroots member group that got the ball rolling urges you to vote YES.

Much has changed in recent months. Governor Sununu set up a fund that has awarded $14 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to expand high-speed internet to 17 towns. Under this program, the Co-op is in the process of setting up projects in Colebrook and Lempster.

This is only the beginning. The Co-op aims to expand broadband to all its members who currently lack it. (Broadband is defined as a download speed of at least 25 megabits-per-second and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps.) This would have a bracing effect on overall broadband competition in the state — even for non-NHEC members — because the Co-op, as a nonprofit, could offer favorable pricing.

Meanwhile, billions more in federal funding for rural broadband is already in the pipeline or being considered by Congress, with bipartisan support. The coronavirus pandemic has underscored how vital this service is for remote work and schooling, telehealth and business development. This is especially important for New Hampshire, where nearly 40 percent of the population live in rural communities.

So please look out for your special election ballot. You can mail it back to NHEC or vote online at www.nhec.com/broadband. Your ballot will have a unique identifying number for online voting. The election closes at midnight on October 14, with results to be announced on October 20.

It would be a shame if all the good work and real progress of the past few months were stymied by failure of the proposed bylaws amendment. So please, raise your voice once again and vote YES for broadband expansion.

09-17-2020, 05:03 PM	#1
Twags Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Nhec members: We need your vote one more time! In April-May, many of you signed a petition asking the Co-op to alter its bylaws, adding “facilitating broadband” to its mission. As you may recall, that initiative drew more than 64 percent support in the Co-op’s annual election — just 183 votes short of the needed 2/3 super-majority. Even so, the NHEC board heard you loud and clear, and immediately decided to get into the broadband business. Now we’re asking for your help to keep this important venture going. You may have received in the mail, or soon will, a ballot for a special election called by the NHEC. It asks if you’ll authorize its board to make necessary decisions to set up the company’s new broadband venture and own the required infrastructure. As before, this change in the utility’s bylaws needs approval by 2/3 of those voting. The Co-op’s board voted unanimously to support the change, and the grassroots member group that got the ball rolling urges you to vote YES. Much has changed in recent months. Governor Sununu set up a fund that has awarded $14 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to expand high-speed internet to 17 towns. Under this program, the Co-op is in the process of setting up projects in Colebrook and Lempster. This is only the beginning. The Co-op aims to expand broadband to all its members who currently lack it. (Broadband is defined as a download speed of at least 25 megabits-per-second and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps.) This would have a bracing effect on overall broadband competition in the state — even for non-NHEC members — because the Co-op, as a nonprofit, could offer favorable pricing. Meanwhile, billions more in federal funding for rural broadband is already in the pipeline or being considered by Congress, with bipartisan support. The coronavirus pandemic has underscored how vital this service is for remote work and schooling, telehealth and business development. This is especially important for New Hampshire, where nearly 40 percent of the population live in rural communities. So please look out for your special election ballot. You can mail it back to NHEC or vote online at www.nhec.com/broadband. Your ballot will have a unique identifying number for online voting. The election closes at midnight on October 14, with results to be announced on October 20. It would be a shame if all the good work and real progress of the past few months were stymied by failure of the proposed bylaws amendment. So please, raise your voice once again and vote YES for broadband expansion.