Earlier this month, two county commissioners, along with others, celebrated the launch of Armstrong’s broadband expansion through the northwestern part of the county.

While much of the focus was on the effect the expansion will have for families of students, access to a reliable high-speed internet connection benefits everyone.

In the Friday, July 25, edition of the Butler Eagle, we learned about an effort to make sure as many people as possible benefit from a broadband connection. The county recently received a grant to purchase 125 laptops that will be placed at the Butler Senior Center at 215 S. Duffy Road when it opens late this year or early next.

The goal is to make sure seniors know how to use the internet, so they can take advantage of expanded access.

The benefits of such access are huge. In addition to making it easier for seniors to communicate with friends and family around the world, they can also use telemedicine services to make getting health care simpler.

Leslie Osche, chairwoman for the board of commissioners, said internet access can help keep seniors independent longer, but only if they know how to use it.

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“If people don’t actually adopt and use it, it’s a lost investment,” Osche said. “This is part of a process to help people learn, adopt and use the broadband services as they’re intended to be used.”

We think the plan is a smart one and encourage seniors who are interested to take advantage when the center opens.

— JK