Arvada has joined Next Century Cities a bipartisan, city-to-city initiative dedicated to ensuring the availability of next-generation broadband Internet for all communities.
“Broadband is quickly becoming essential for both Arvada businesses and residents-on par with water, wastewater, power, and other municipal services,” said Arvada Mayor Marc Williams in a news release. “The strategic goals adopted by the Arvada City Council cannot be achieved without including broadband as part of the equation.”
Started last October by mayors and community leaders of 32 municipalities, working collaboratively to leverage gigabit-level Internet to attract new businesses, create jobs, improve health care and education while building self-sufficiency.
Ron Czarnecki, Arvada’s information technology director, said joining Next Century Cities will be a resource to gather information from around the country on ways to improve broadband speeds while reducing costs.
“Right now we know it’s very sporadic in Arvada who can can get good broadband speeds,” Czarnecki said. “Even for us at the city building, connectivity can be an issue. Any help in improving those services cost effectively will go a long way.”
Arvada’s strategic plan says that 90 percent of all new street reconstruction projects will include conduits for fiber optics and dry utilities starting this year.
By 2019, the same plan outlines that 90 percent of urban centers and corridors in Arvada will have high-speed internet connectivity available to residents, businesses and visitors.
Arvada joins three other Colorado cities — Montrose, Culver City and Centennial — as members of Next Century Cities. It also comes on the heels of
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abriggs
