Connecting Rochester: Municipal Broadband for All

Marcus Williams
Jun 22
1 min read

Introduction

Every Rochesterian deserves affordable, fast Internet, but high costs and limited access leave too many behind. With 26.2% in poverty and 5.8% unemployment, our city needs a solution. Monroe County’s dark fiber within Rochester offers a foundation for a municipal broadband utility. As Marcus C. Williams, I’m running for City Council to bring 100 Mbps for $20–$30, with VoIP for $10, and 500 Mbps for $15 long-term. This will keep youth here, attract businesses, and lower costs. Together, we’ll connect Rochester.

Top Issues

High Internet Costs: Many pay $50+ for slow speeds.
Limited Access: Low-income areas lack reliable broadband.
Youth Outmigration: High costs drive young people away.
Business Stagnation: Expensive Internet hinders growth.

Action Items

1. Municipal Broadband Launch

Use dark fiber for 100 Mbps at $20–$30, VoIP for $10, piloting 5,000 homes in 2026. Funded by $10M–$15M BEAD grants.

2. Youth & Business Incentives

Free 500 Mbps for schools, $10/month for new businesses, starting 2026 with $300,000.

3. Cost Reduction & Competition

Target 500 Mbps for $15 by 2030, saving $5M/year, using $2M from grants.

Examples

Ammon, ID: 1 Gbps for $30.
Fort Collins, CO: Gigabit for $20 to low-income.
Pharr, TX: Free gigabit for students.

Strategic Plan

2026: Pilot 5,000 homes.
2027: Expand to 25,000, add incentives.
2028–2030: 80% coverage, $15/month.

Expected Impact

164,000 connected, $5M saved.
500 youth retained, 75 businesses.
20% competitor price drop.

Conclusion

Rochester can lead with affordable Internet, keeping youth and businesses thriving. Join me at www.marcus4rochester.com to support this connected future!