The annual State of the State address, delivered over four days last week by Governor Andrew Cuomo, included a clear acknowledgment of the need to increase rural broadband access. This initiative aligns exactly with a core need identified by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) during this summer’s Forum and included in the 2021 Blueprint for the Blue Line.

Governor Cuomo identified two ways to make this happen.

The first was to bring internet to the last two percent of New Yorkers who currently do not have access from their home or business. Though we have heard that before, COVID-19 has emphasized how critical broadband is for education at all levels, especially for services such as telemedicine.

The second, is to explore ways to assure that broadband providers supply service at an affordable rate for all demographics, specifically in remote rural communities such as those in the North Country.

Other expenditures and investments identified in the State of the State, though not included in the CGA Blueprint, are significant to the North Country. Notably, the importance of the arts to New York, and though there was certainly a focus on NYC, Governor Cuomo specifically mentioned Saranac Lake’s Pendragon Theatre as an example of an organization suffering from the impacts of COVID-19. His promise was that the New York Arts Revival Initiative will not overlook the vital arts community in the Adirondack Park.

In addition, there are two other items that we will be watching in order to better understand their impact on the Adirondacks:

– The Governor proposed three North/South high speed electric transmission lines as part of the green energy initiative. Two of them will be in the eastern part of the state. The North Country will also see an increase in solar farms as part of this initiative.

– Another impact of the pandemic has been people displaced from their homes. The Governor is proposing the conversion of unused commercial space to affordable housing. Little detail was given as to where and how this would be accomplished.

– To make child care more affordable and equitable for our most vulnerable children and their parents, Governor Cuomo will invest $40 million to reduce the burden of parent subsidy copays to help approximately 32,000 working families.

Throughout the four days of presentations the Governor continually applauded New Yorkers for both their love and grit. It made one feel proud, at least for a moment. But also reminded us that there is still a lot of work to do.

For 13 years the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has held a summer Forum with the underlying focus on enhancing the quality of our communities while growing the economy and protecting our natural environment.

Later this winter, the CGA will reconvene to assess how best to move the 2021 Blueprint initiatives forward, specifically now knowing that the broadband issue aligns with the highest level of support from New York State.

– Ross Whaley, Common Ground Alliance Core Team

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