Collins arranges local hearing on broadband issues

ALBION — U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-27th District, will chair a House Small Business Subcommittee field hearing here Thursday.

The hearing will examine how the lack of access to broadband Internet service in rural communities affects the operations of local small businesses and farms. The lack of broadband access is a significant issue in several areas of the 27th District, including northern Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Orleans County Legislative Chambers, 3 S. Main St. Representatives of Time Warner, Frontier Communications, NCTA/The Rural Broadband Association and Lamb Farms in Oakfield are expected to offer testimony.

A stakeholders' roundtable will be held afterward, with remarks from Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and Wyoming county legislators.

Orleans and Niagara counties have been working together to identify areas where broadband service isn't available and find interested service providers.