As the Town of Carmel initiates steps to update the municipality’s Master Plan and others follow suit, it’s due time to address the county’s inadequate telecommunications infrastructure as a whole.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, at least one-third of Putnam households were left without power and thousands lost internet service for several days. Of course, this isn’t Putnam’s first rodeo in the dark. Who can forget “Sandy” or the tornadoes of 2018 that ripped apart the Towns of Kent and Patterson? Yes, these were natural disasters — “Acts of God”. But without any storms to blame, Putnam County’s telecommunications infrastructure is regularly sluggish, unreliable, and behind the times. In 2020, shouldn’t we be able to do better?

The work-from-home trend that many professionals have adopted over the last several years has risen exponentially due to COVID-19. The pandemic has demonstrated to even the most traditional businesses that working from home works. It’s convenient, cost-effective and employees are more productive. But when former commuters are working from home and telecommunications go down, work stops, time is wasted, and money is lost. Adding to this, with schools shifting to distance learning in September to manage the spread of COVID among our children and vulnerable residents, we cannot afford to be without internet connectivity even briefly.

A Long Wait for 5G

Putnam County’s three major telecommunications providers (Verizon, Comcast, and Cablevision/Altice) do not want to invest in infrastructure upgrades to support existing fiber optic and copper cable networks (suspended by telephone poles) because 5G can deliver the same services, over the air, with minimal cost. The issue becomes timing. If we use the installation of 4G as a precedent, the rollout started in  NYC to Westchester, then Duchess, and finally Putnam.  According to that timeline, we will not see 5G for another five years! This is an unacceptable timeframe. We need our county government to incentivize Verizon and other cell providers to install 5G in Putnam County now.  Verizon is specifically mentioned because they currently have the greatest number of towers in the county.

Putnam towns garner significant tax revenue from cell service providers.  A tax incentive may be a potential motivator for providers to speed up 5G implementation. As an example, an offer of a tax break or waiver to service providers who install and activate 5G on their towers before the end of the fiscal year may be a workable option.

A five-year wait for 5G is an impediment for business and the community, as well as those considering a move to Putnam County. We can do better.

Putnam County Business Council Treasurer Zachary Cosentino is the owner of Avedata. Based in Putnam Valley, NY, his business specializes in custom computer builds and computer repair.

According to U.S. Census data, at 77%, the population of Putnam County, NY, is predominantly white. In fact, aside from Ulster County, Putnam is the least diverse county in the Mid-Hudson Region. This is neither judgment nor praise, just a simple demographic fact. Adding to a lack of diversity, our county seat is 60 miles north of New York City, where racial discord and violent protests have waged war against police and racism.

For many Putnam residents and businesses, racism is not regularly encountered. Based on our county’s demographic make-up, we simply don’t see, and therefore, don’t feel the pain of disenfranchisement that peaceful and lawful protesters of the anti-racism movement are fighting against. So, how and why do we, as a community, adopt a mindset of tolerance, empathy, and racial equality? 

Supporting racial equality: Education sets the stage for the future

We, as a business community, have a moral obligation to evangelize a message of inclusion. Our future generations depend on it. Since the PCBC was established, one of our main priorities has been to attract millennials and young families to sustain and grow our population. The impact of COVID and civil unrest is prompting many New York City families and young professionals to migrate out of the city and into the Hudson Valley Region. Consequently, over the next several years, Putnam can expect to see an influx of diverse populations putting down roots in our community.

In addition to rising property values and a broader tax base that will support better services and infrastructure, this influx will forward our economic agenda, such that businesses will benefit from a larger consumer base, greater opportunity, and growth. That said, we need to acknowledge and understand that relocating city dwellers are accustomed to diversity and represent multi-cultures and ethnicities themselves. We can only benefit from adopting a welcoming and inclusive culture in Putnam County. 

For our part, the PCBC is supporting racial equality among the business community by partnering with the Business Council of Westchester, as well as the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, and other Hudson Valley business organizations to provide Free Anti-Racism Educational Programming, developed and presented by professionals from Balancing Life’s Issues.  Topics include:

○    Unconscious Bias — Thursday, July 9th: Register Here.

○    Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace – Thursday, July 16th

○    How to be an Inclusive Leader – Thursday, July 23rd

○    What You Need to Know About Demonstrations – Thursday, July 30th

○    Coping with Civil Unrest – Tuesday, August 4th

○    Self-Care in the Face of Trauma – Tuesday, August 11th

○    Raising Children to Respect Diversity in Your Home – Tuesday, September 1st

○     Ask The Expert – Tuesday, September 8th

○    And more programming to be rolled out soon. 

Our goal is to increase diversity and inclusiveness in Putnam County. The Business Council Board will be working to develop a PCBC Minority and Women-Owned Business division in the coming weeks, which will include a directory of M/WBE businesses.