Over the last few months our office has met with a number of neighborhood groups and organizations concerned over development and traffic issues in Aptos. As the sewer line project comes to a close and Aptos Blue and Canterbury projects also finish up, there is still a sense of concern over future changes to the Aptos Village area and the Safeway development.
Yet we also field a number of calls expressing frustration over the state of the roads, public safety coverage and condition of the parks. Years of budget cuts, service declines and increased responsibilities from the state have underscored the need for our county to have an improved tax base. And it is clear we can’t provide the level of service our residents deserve without a consistent economic base that pays for those services. But how do we build a stable economic base to provide these services while still creating something within the values and constructs of our community?
I believe one of the best ways moving forward is to focus on what I see as the next stage of economic development: the improvement of broadband infrastructure.
High-capacity Internet is one of the most effective tools communities have to spur economic development. The economy of the 21st century is predicated upon data and information, and a large barrier to economic growth for local government is the fact that our data infrastructure is generally outdated.
For a region that rests in the shadow of Silicon Valley, and from which 30,000 people commute (many for technology-based jobs), it is important that we provide the resources necessary locally for our residents, businesses and schools to compete. Affording such local connectivity could have positive impacts on traffic and highway usage, educational outcomes and the tax base. Imagine if thousands of cars were not commuting over the hill because they could work locally or even from home? What if we weren’t simply reliant on large box stores or development projects for our economic base? This model isn’t far-fetched; in fact, it is being done in many cities throughout the country.
Broadband Internet connections can help sustain and expand the region’s businesses so that they can reach global markets, achieve cost savings by government agencies, allow home businesses and satellite businesses to exist, improve public safety communications, offer workforce development and prepare local youth with the technical skills essential for their future. Many governmental models for expanded broadband connectivity exist and many have succeeded with limited investment of public sector dollars and administrative overhead.
Despite all these public benefits, the nation’s telecommunications networks are for the most part the property of private concerns. As such, they are built and deployed where the market demands it or where policies are favourable. Given the relative lack of urban density in our county, and the absence of policies that encourage such partnership, Santa Cruz County is at an economic disadvantage in terms of broadband connectivity and expansion. Arguably, it also makes our region more reliant on traditional box stores or large developments to provide a tax base.
Because of this, on May 14th I presented a plan to the Board of Supervisors to have staff develop a plan for improving broadband infrastructure and access in our county. Specifically, I asked staff to:
- Explore standards and practices for the placement of broadband infrastructure in the public right of way.
- Evaluate online tools for communication and coordination between private sector applicants for access to the public right of way.
- Change administrative procedures to require submission of street opening and encroachment permits in electronic formats, and
- Explore the development of a “dig once policy,” which encourages the placement of conduit or fiber when a road is being repaired as opposed to ripping it back up to place these items in the road.
Overall, the goal is to increase the region’s access to broadband by lowering the administrative barriers and increasing coordination between, private and public sectors. My hope is that the policies will create a framework for a more modern and more stable economy moving forward.
I encourage you to get involved in the discussion about the future of economic development in our region as well as transportation planning. The County is hosting a series of upcoming workshops to discuss these issues including specific discussions about transportation and growth in Aptos. There will be a community workshop in Aptos on May 22 at 6:30 pm at Mar Vista Elementary. County staff will be on hand to gather your input.
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As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to call at 454-2200 to share your ideas. Visit my website for more details.