NORWICH - Faster, more reliable internet is the end goal of a new program launched by local planners to improve broadband internet infrastructure across Chenango County.

The Chenango County Planning Department, in conjunction with Southern Tier 8, is taking on efforts of data collection that the agency says may boost internet connections for rural homes, businesses, schools, telemedicine, and other entities throughout the area.

Southern Tier 8, a regional planning board that works jointly with eight counties in the Southern Tier region, says data collected through this new program will strengthen state and federal grant applications to improve broadband infrastructure - primarily in rural areas.

Southern Tier 8 Executive Director Jen Gregory explained that the area is plagued by poor internet speeds and scarcity of internet carriers. That, she said, is what the new Southern Tier 8’s Broadband Connection Program aims to fix by surveying local residents about their current internet connection.

“We know we’re challenged with low speeds in the area and lack of service providers,” said Gregory. “To encourage development in the area, we want to showcase internet service providers where they should locate or where federal partners should invest, but we don’t have a good map to show where residents and businesses want better access.”