NASHVILLE (AP) — A state official is announcing the launch of an assessment of broadband access and usage in Tennessee.

Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said the assessment is an impartial survey of broadband access, adoption and usage in Tennessee's rural, suburban and urban communities. The department will then offer strategies to drive broadband usage.

The survey of businesses and households began Tuesday and continues through March 15.

Boyd said the department determined the need for an assessment of broadband access and usage in early 2015.

Elected leaders, business executives and economic development professionals told department officials that a lack of broadband access may hurt future economic development efforts in rural Tennessee.

The department will deliver a report and policy recommendations to Gov. Bill Haslam in June.