By Elaine Rassel
Friday morning (June 9), a Community Coffee was held at Marcus City Hall from 9:00-10:00 with a 9:30 presentation by Wes-Tel—“Smart Rural Community Presentation”. The following is that presentation by Robin Jenness.
You might wonder what a Smart Rural Community is? Smart Rural Communities promote rural internet networks and internet enable apps that the Marcus Community can leverage using the fiber Wes-Tel Systems has installed to foster innovative economic development, education, healthcare and other vital services. Wes-Tel Systems has invested $5,550,000 in the Marcus Community—town and rural to create this fiber network.
Smart Rural Communities are about connection—neighbors to neighbors, teachers to students, doctors to patients, new businesses to customers and the Marcus Community to the World. Connected by fiber high speed internet we can achieve more together. To gain the status of a Smart Rural Community, Wes-Tel Systems has to offer 100 Mbps internet service to at least 50% of its serving area—we provide this to 100% of our serving area. Wes-Tel Systems must have at least 50% of their customers with internet services—we provide internet services to 88% of our Customers.
Wes-Tel Systems must be committed to the program principles of collaboration and innovation which Wes-Tel Systems is always working to provide the Best Customer Experience we can with new technology and ideas. The high-speed internet we provide creates jobs by allowing people to work from home. This allows existing Community Members to do this and encourages people to move here because the opportunity exists.
The robust high-speed internet to the schools and homes allows students and teachers to achieve more. High Speed internet delivers health care. Internet-enabled telemedicine promises easy access to greater health care benefits from our local doctors and hospital along with specialists. And, let’s not forget about how high-speed internet enables precision agriculture. It improves efficiencies and empowers farmers to make better production decisions.
Wes-Tel Systems is also a proud supporter of the Community of Marcus with donations. Wes-Tel Systems made a sizable contribution to the Trail, Royals Daycare, Marcus Golf Club and support nonprofit organizations in the Marcus Community. Wes-Tel Systems would like to thank the Community of Marcus for their support, and we are proud to give you this Smart Rural Community plaque.
(We thank Robin and Wes-Tel for this informative presentation.)