To avoid such problems, the Commission adopted an EAS process to, in effect, realign exchange boundaries based on a community of interest between exchanges. We have concluded that the Bly petitioners failed to establish a community of interest with the Bonanza and Klamath Falls exchanges. Petitioners' request to now modify the exchange boundaries is beyond the scope of this docket. Petitioners also contend that the limited local calling area in Bly makes the area less appealing to business who might otherwise relocate there. Petitioners state that EAS to Klamath Falls would expand local business opportunities.
Economic development is a legitimate business concern.
This Commission has long recognized, however, that our primary role is to protect all utility customers, not to create economic development incentives for local businesses. See Order No. Finally, petitioners contend that, in reviewing the calling pattern data, we erred in failing to consider calls made to and from the Bonanza School via a 700 number line. Had the Commission considered such calls, petitioners believe that the Bly exchange would have met the calling requirements under the objective community of interest criteria. We are aware that the number of calls placed between two telephone exchanges may be higher than what is represented by direct dialed toll.