Expanding our reach…growing our community

We talk a lot on the blog and the podcast about reaching out into our communities to help grow them and grow the bank.  I also think it’s important to remember that there are many in our communities that don’t have the same access to information.  We take our connectivity and access to information for granted.  I mean…you’re likely reading this via some internet connection.  But there are still places in this country where there is very little access to information.
That’s why I think it’s important for community leaders to understand all the community needs…not just financial.  And though access to high-speed internet can be tied to financial needs, it goes so much deeper than that.  I can think of no better use of a community bank’s time and resources for community development that providing quality internet access for all in their footprint.
If you’re in the East TN/Appalachian area, the FDIC is doing an event in Knoxville covering this idea of Expanding Internet Access that you can register for here.  If you’re not from that area, I would take a look anyway and get in contact with your local state associations or your local regulators or the state economic development authority.  There are needs everywhere and there’s nobody better at meeting a community’s needs than a community bank.