Jefferson County is among a group of rural communities in the Big Bend working to improve broadband internet access.
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Jefferson County works to close the broadband gap for residents
Jefferson County has about 5,750 households. About 75% have a broadband subscription. Across Florida, that number is nearly 92%. About 85% of Jefferson County households have a computer.
For people without either, local resources have become an important way to get connected. The Jefferson County Public Library is one place helping fill that gap.
Emily Grosskopf, Director of Library Services at the Jefferson County Public Library, said the need is clear.
“Around 20 or 30 people in a single day come by to use the internet… to access email, get their labels printed, do homework. It’s a pretty well-used service.”
Grosskopf also pointed to barriers that go beyond infrastructure.
“I know there is some expansion through fiber occurring, but that still isn’t accessible for a lot of people, both because of location and also because of price.”
The library says a contractor is coming in to teach basic computer classes, helping people connect with work, school, and everyday services.
Efforts to close the gap are also happening at the state level.
Statewide, Florida’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, known as BEAD, also aims to expand high-speed internet to under-served areas of the state.
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