Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media officials with the Columbia Economic Development Corporation are encouraging residents to take the state’s Broadband Assessment Survey to help produce the most accurate maps possible to highlight the gaps in high-speed internet service for rural and low-income communities. The Columbia Economic Development Committee is encouraging county residents to participate in the survey at EmpireStateBroadband [dot] com by March 18. “In addition to helping identify unserved areas throughout the state this survey also has attitudinal questions about broadband in general and future enhancements that providers might consider based on people’s response,” CEDC President and CEO F. Michael Tucker said. State residents must report their accessibility to high-speed broadband internet including the cost of available utilities and download and upload speeds, to help state officials identify connectivity deserts — especially in rural, upstate communities. Questions in the state survey ask about different levels of service, pricing and the type of use the connection is for. The survey is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete, and upload and download speeds can be tested at the site, as well. “This is a one-time survey so they can be ready for the federal funding,” Tucker said. The results will help officials at the state and local levels make decisions about broadband expansion projects. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.