US Rep. Jim Clyburn shared a story with me about children who have to do their homework from the parking lot of a library or McDonald’s.

Why? Because these children - many living in traditionally overlooked and underserved rural areas of our state — do not have access to reliable high-speed internet.

He told me these families travel across town or across a county each night just to find an internet connection.

In a state and nation as great as ours, children deserve better. They should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

We must ensure they have the opportunity. They are our future leaders in business and politics and they are our workforce.

THERE ARE FEW issues more critical to the long-term economic health of our state than access to reliable broadband internet. That’s why I want to hear more from candidates up and down the ballot about what they will do to bridge this digital divide.

Estimates of how many South Carolinians lack access to the internet range from at least 577,000 to many millions. Lexington County, home to our West Columbia headquarters, enjoys stronger broadband connectivity than most counties in the state.

Data from the Federal Communications Commission says 94 % of the county has access to broadband service. That leaves 6% without it in rural Lexington County.

Beyond Lexington County, broadband connectivity falls off dramatically. In Calhoun and Orangeburg counties, less than 60 % of the people have access to broadband, according to the FCC. In Saluda County, fewer than 30% have broadband access.

THE TRUE SCALE of the challenge is likely far greater. Microsoft usage data says only 45% of Lexington County residents access the internet at broadband speeds. Broadband-speed use falls precipitously in neighboring counties to just 15% in Orangeburg, 6% in Calhoun and 5% in Saluda.

This digital divide separates our communities between suburban and rural and between haves and have nots. And for those stuck behind the broadband gap, a lack of connectivity can affect every facet of life.

Lou Kennedy is CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Lexington County.