A committee headed up by Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, that is focused on obtaining high-speed broadband internet access for all Georgians held its final meeting on Thursday at the Georgia State Capitol. This was the eighth and final meeting of the committee, which was tasked with examining the conditions, needs, issues and problems of high-speed broadband internet access in rural Georgia. The committee voted on its final 26 recommendations during the meeting, which included considering establishing a dedicated broadband fund within the Department of Community Affairs, bringing current departments up to speed and amending their duties to include expansion of broadband, encouraging SPLOST funding initiatives to include broadband deployment and addressing local government issues that inhibit future broadband expansion, among others.