Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon has received about $2 million in federal stimulus money to help map out which parts of the state lack high speed internet. KLCC's Angela Kellner reports.

The goal is to help bridge the digital divide and bring access to information to remote parts of the state.

Bob Valdez is with the Oregon Public Utility Commission. He says the federal dollars make the mapping project possible, but doesn't mean the internet will be soon to follow.

Bob Valdez: "This isn't a guarantee that we have the money to spend right now. But this is the first step to find out where it is, where it isn't, what some of the barriers are to high speed internet access throughout the state. And then you know give the policy makers the tools to decide if to fund, and if so, where to spend the actual dollars."

The governor recently formed a broadband task force to cultivate the public-private partnerships needed to expand internet access. The maps also will give consumers better information about their broadband options.