Jefferson County will hold a series of community meetings in May to discuss the broadband assessment in more detail, answer questions, gain deeper insights into what specific communities consider priorities and appropriate options, and to talk about next steps. "The assessment is a critical first step to subsequent phases including securing grants for design and engineering and identifying costs and resources for construction," explained Lori Gleichman of the Jefferson County Broadband Action Team. This phased approach will position Jefferson County to compete for state and federal funds that will be made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and infrastructure bills. The broadband assessment can be found at www.jeffco.net/jc-echeckup. The meetings are being held in buildings with internet and Wi-Fi service so those residents without good connectivity can complete the survey on site using a personal smart phone, device or loaned computer. Meeting Schedule: Monday, May 9, 4:00-5:30 pm at Black Butte School in Camp Sherman (25745 SW Suttle-Sherman Road). Tuesday, May 10, 2-3:30 pm at Crooked River Ranch's Juniper Room (5195 SW Club House Road). Tuesday, May 10, 5:30-7:00 pm in the Commission Meeting Room at Jefferson County (66 SE D St.). NOTE: If anyone needs Spanish or ALS translations services please contact Lori Gleichman at 541-350 3106 48 hours in advance to arrange for assistance. If you are not able to attend a meeting and don't have good connectivity at home or work, you can complete the survey on public computers available at the Jefferson County Library (241 SE 7th Street, Madras, from 10 am to 5:30 pm Mondays through Fridays, and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturdays). Computers are also available at the COCC Madras Campus. Just stop into the lobby and see the front desk attendant for help logging on and finding the survey. You do not need to be a current student or staff. Hours are: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturdays or using publicly available Wi-Fi on your own devices. If you prefer to read about the assessment in another language, select the Google Translate option at the upper right-hand corner of the www.jeffco.net home page. Then search broadband assessment. Once you click on the link to the household and/or the business eCheckup, you can select Spanish in the upper right-hand corner of the drop-down menu. It's important that everyone to complete the survey, Gleichman said. "We understand that some of the most negatively impacted by lack of connectivity are the people we need to hear from the most. So, please, take advantage of a community meeting or a publicly available computer to complete the assessment."