Broadband Targeted Service Area (TSA) Tools
Use this map application to select targeted service areas (TSA) required for a Broadband Tax Exemption Project Application.
Selection Procedure
Use the zoom tools ( + and - in the upper left corner) or Search Toolbar (in the upper right corner) to zoom into your chosen service area. You need to zoom in close enough to see the numbered label for each block for the selection to work.
Once you have arrived at your area of interest and the TSA blocks are visible, click on the Select TSAs tool found in the top menu bar.
On the menu that opens, make sure only the Iowa Broadband By Block option is checked. The text needs to be black for the selection tool to work. If the text is gray, zoom in until it turns black.
Some hints about selecting
First, click the green Select Button to see the options for selecting TSAs on the map. Take some time to see how these work by clicking on a selection method and selection features on the map.
Using the "Select By Polygon" option, a single mouse click starts the selection process. Double-clicking will end the selection process.
Use shift + selection tool to add additional TSAs to your selection.
Use ctrl + selection tool to remove additional TSAs to your selection. (The Select By Rectangle and Select By Circle work well for getting rid of a single TSA.)
For the other tools, follow the instructions that show on the screen next to your cursor.
Exporting TSA Information
After selecting the TSAs, the information can be exported to a spreadsheet by clicking on the ellipsis (...) to the right of the Iowa Broadband Information By Block. The Selection Menu will open. Select the Export to CSV file option. This will download a spreadsheet that can be opened in Excel or other spreadsheet application.
Formatting in Excel
If you open the CSV file in Excel, you should see the BlockID expressed in scientific notation (i.e. 1.9193E+14). To correct the format to normal notation, select the column (labeled B in the illustration). Then right-click and choose the "Format Cells" option. In the "Category" list, choose "Custom". In the "Type" list choose "0". This should format the BlockIDs correctly. Save the file in the same format or as an Excel spreadsheet.