Onondaga County is asking for help in assessing broadband service in rural communities.

The county plans to invest as much as $15 million on improvements to its infrastructure that will then be licensed to providers in an effort to increase access to high speed internet. 

Before that happens, officials said they need to identify the areas of greatest need.

They are asking residents to fill out a survey to help gather that data.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said the project is a major part of the county's anti-poverty agenda.

"Broadband technology these days is as critical to a community and to a family as the roads and bridges we drive over," McMahon said.

The survey can be completed online at cny internet dot com, and hard copies will be made available at libraries, community centers and village and town halls.