The Erie County Planning Department is seeking public input as it prepares to challenge the Federal Communication Commission's broadband access map.

Last month, the FCC released the map, which indicates where there is internet access throughout the United States.
 
The map will determine the distribution of federal funding, which will be used to expand high-speed internet throughout the country.
 
According to Erie County Planning Director Jessica Horan-Kunco, the broadband map is inaccurate.
 
"The FCC data doesn't really accurately reflect what you are experiencing at home," said Horan-Kunco.  "It may be what the providers have told the FCC, but we want to make sure that's accurate so we can get those dollars into our community and invest then in making high-speed internet available to everyone."
 
To ensure that the information is accurate, the FCC has set up a tool that allows people to challenge inaccuracies. 
 
Horan-Kunco is asking the public to report inaccuracies to the planning department, so they can challenge the FCC at a county level.
 
"What we're trying to do here in Erie County, is to collect all the areas that are not reflected properly on the FCC maps, so we can make a coherent challenge to those FCC maps, so that Erie County will be entitled to more dollars to help deploy high-speed internet," said Horan-Kunco.  "It's very important for us."
 
Feedback must be submitted to the department by January 9, in order for you to be included in Erie County's challenge.
 
You can reach the planning department by calling (814) 451-7345 or emailing [email protected].