Public input needed at Cool & Connected Program workshop

ZANESVILLE, OHIO- The City of Zanesville will be hosting a public meeting next week to discuss technology and how it can help the community.

On Tuesday, December 6th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the John McIntire Library Auditorium, the Cool & Connected program will be visiting Zanesville to discuss new and exciting ways to strengthen the communities economic future.

The meeting will look at all of the different ways businesses and residents of the community could use broadband internet for new economic opportunities within the area.

Jay Bennett, Public Service and Community Director for the City of Zanesville, said that the city is years behind in the technology department.

He said that after seeing the impact that Pokemon Go had on the community this past summer, he realized how much technology could impact the future of Zanesville.

“Watching that and seeing young people coming downtown and exploring, that gives you a glimpse into what technology might be able to be used for to attract more activity downtown in different forms,” said Bennett.

Bennett said that it’s important for the community to attend this meeting and voice their thoughts.

“When you talk about looking long-range and you talk about making investments into downtown, it’s just not appropriate to not reach out and ask the public what their thoughts are.”

Bennett said that having wireless internet downtown is just one of the many possibilities that could come in the near future.

The meeting is also an opportunity for the public to learn from experts in the broadband internet and economic development fields.  Representatives from Smart Growth America and Broadband Catalysts will be present answer questions and provide past success stories from other areas.