Telecommunications

Telecommunications is another important component of infrastructure, and Cortland County is at the geographic center of two major telecommunications initiatives. Nation Grid is partnering with communities and businesses to create "The Digital Towpath" -- a project to help establish and re-brand the Erie Canal Corridor as a new economic growth region tuned into the global network economy. "The Digital Towpath" project is using technology, training and marketing to help communities in Central New York become empowered through digital technology. The goal of "The Digital Towpath" project is to help upstate New York do what the Erie Canal did for the region 150 years ago by creating access to world markets, building new infrastructure, and helping businesses take advantage of opportunities for business expansion through e-commerce, electronic cottage industries and wired communities.

Another project by the Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board, The Southern Tier Unified Network (STUN) was awarded $1.5 million under the New York State Diffusion Fund in 1998, and Verizon is working with the Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board to complete final design and implementation of the system. In conjunction with a multi-sector group of telecommunications providers and users, the comprehensive telecommunications strategy features Cortland as a regional access hub connected to a broader regional community network in the Southern Tier that includes Binghamton, Corning, Ithaca and Oneonta. The network connects hospitals, schools, government agencies and businesses.