Businesses looking to settle into new markets and new locations in the future are going to be looking at centralized locations and the latest in Internet technology to keep their companies on the leading edge. Monroe County wants to be a candidate for those entrepreneurs looking to bring innovative and high-paying jobs to the area.

On Tuesday, East Stroudsburg University hosted a broadband rally to bring affordable gigabit Internet technology to Monroe County. The rally was hosted by Monroe 2030 Action Team, Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corporation and ESU.Representatives from Dellicker Strategies, Business Information Group, York Exponential and Lewis Strategic spoke to those present about Monroe County's strategic location in regard to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.The group hopes topush Monroe County to Gigabit City Status, which enables buyers to purchase 1 gigabit Internet connections for $1,000 or less, annually. The group says there are 120 gigabit cities in the United States and young people and young companies flock to these areas seeking the fastest and cheapest Internet."Young people and companies are moving to gigabit cities like Chattanooga and St. Louis because of ultra-affordable gigabit broadband," said Kelly Lewis of Lewis Strategic. "To compete, the Monroe $1,000 gigabit project will require engagement by business and government leaders, at least 23 participating buyers and authorization by the county commissioners to go forward to launch the project on Jan. 13 and finish it by May 12."Additional Monroe County $1,000 gigabit meetings are scheduled for Jan. 13, Feb. 13, March 13, April 13 and May 12. Contact state Rep. David Parker's office at 570-656-9232 for additional information. Updated information will be posted on Twitter @AcceleratePenna and on Facebook @AcceleratePA.