Grant Awarded for Service Study  

Leaders in Warren County, New York, want to know how the cell phone and Internet coverage perform around the county. Recently, the county was awarded a $10,000 grant to study cell and broadband service. “The goal is to formally identify problem areas so local leaders can seek some of the $500 million in state funding that is to be made available to improve service. Better high-speed Internet and cellphone service is viewed as crucial for economic and public safety reasons,” the Post Star reported. The Adirondack Gateway Council recently approved the funding after assessing the county’s needs, and concluding they were eligible. Nearby Washington County was also awarded a grant from the council to fund a similar study. The first part of the test will include a “drive test” around the county to test cell phone service signal strength. “I was surprised how much of Lake George has no service or poor service,” Lake George Supervisor Dennis Dickinson said. (Post Star) The terrain has been a big issue, and there are noticeable gaps throughout the county that officials hope to fill.