News

Published on: 2/11/2021

The York County Commissioners, on Feb. 3, established the YoCo Fiber Broadband Task Force. This group will advise the commissioners on development and implementation of a countywide broadband strategy.

>>>Read the county's fiber broadband plan<<<

Expansion of broadband access in York County is a crucial need identified by the YoCo Strong Recovery Task Force. It is a top goal in York County’s Economic Action Plan. Inequitable access to the internet impacts our residents’ ability to receive healthcare, telecommute, learn remotely, find employment, launch and grow a business. Broadband internet is a basic need for anyone to thrive in the 21st century.

Silas Chamberlin, VP of Economic & Community Development at the York County Economic Alliance, will serve as facilitator of the task force.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the impact of inequitable access to broadband internet in areas of York County, as students and employees pivoted to work from home and more residents relied on the internet to access critical services, such as health care and employment.

“The commissioners will use this task force’s experience and expertise to determine how to best serve York County’s internet needs,” said York County Vice President Commissioner Doug Hoke. “The people of this task force will be critical in helping to shape the future of internet connectivity in York County.”

The task force will consist of the following members:
Dr. Nathan Van Deusen, Superintendent, South Eastern School District; Chaz Green, York City Public Works Director; Shayne Smith, Regional External Affairs, Met Ed / First Energy; Mick Murphy, VP and Chief Technology Officer, WellSpan; Phil Witkowski, Director of Telehealth, UPMC – Pinnacle Hospitals; Kevin Schreiber, President & CEO, York County Economic Alliance; Gary Laird, President & CEO, Hanover Chamber of Commerce; Jeff Vermeulen, AVP, York College / JD Brown Center for Entrepreneurship; Felicia Dell, Executive Director, York County Planning Commission; John Klinedinst, County Engineer, CS Davidson; Isaac Tucker, Director, Katapult Engineering / Dillsburg Borough Council; Mark Derr, Administrator/Chief Clerk, County of York; Joe Sassano, Executive Director IT/CIO, County of York