The ability of rural Oklahomans to connect to the internet through high-speed broadband will be the topic of discussion when the newly-formed Oklahoma Rural and Small-Town Table of Common Interests soon meets.

The group will hold its second issues forum from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 24, at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

According to the group’s chairman, Clay Pope, this event will be a chance to highlight the importance of broadband and internet connectivity to the economic well-being of rural Oklahoma.

“Few issues impact the economic health of rural Oklahoma more than affordable high-speed access to the internet,” Pope said. “Whether you’re talking about education, health care, economic development, or general quality of life, affordable broadband and access to the worldwide web are as important now as access to the electric grid was in the 1930s. We feel that it is critical that we help bring light to this fundamental issue.”

Speakers at the event will include representatives of rural education, health care and economic development groups as well as rural telecommunications providers.

All presentations will be made both live and virtual to alleviate COVID-19 concerns and to make access to the meeting more available.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by May 21 by calling Pope at 405-699-2087 or sending him an e-mail at claygpope@gmail.com.

There is no charge for the meeting.

Those wishing to view the event online can follow the event at- http://bit.ly/OklahomaRuralBroadband.

The meeting will be recorded and available for future viewing as well.

Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the SWOSU Day Business Enterprise Center located at Davis and Seventh streets.