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54 <br /> Page 2 of 2 Thomas Rhodes <br /> Orange County Broadband Task Force <br /> Background, education and experience relevant to this board: <br /> I have lived in Orange County just north of Hillsborough for almost 10 years. We have two <br /> young children in school as well as myself pursuing an MBA that are participating in virtual <br /> learning and appreciate the value of high speed internet. <br /> Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br /> I have lived here for almost 10 years now and am concerned about equitable representation for <br /> the rural parts of the county. There is a huge rural/urban divide in NC and I feel like Orange <br /> County is a microcosm of that. The COVID pandemic has brought this issue to the forefront as <br /> those needing high speed internet for work and now for our children s education have struggled <br /> to adjust. <br /> Over the last 3 years, my wife and I have looked at numerous rural land parcels to build as well <br /> as houses farther away from town. We are fortunate to be in a sweet spot just out of town now, <br /> but with high speed internet. Every time, one of our primary issues for not moving has been the <br /> lack of high speed internet in the more northern and western areas of the county so this has <br /> affected us personally. <br /> Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: <br /> I am a parent, student, and resident of the county who has been affected by the lack of high <br /> speed access and would appreciate broader availability for more rural areas. <br /> Conflict of Interest: <br /> Boards/Commissions appointments: <br /> Other Comments: <br /> This application was current on: 12/30/2020 9:42:27 PM Date Printed: 12/31/2020 <br />