In the 21st century the most important economic development investment we can make is broadband.” --Senator Patty Murray.
"Broadband can provide healthcare for an aging population, turn a small farm into a global enterprise, and give small businesses a new future." --Katherine Baril, Director, WSU Jefferson County Extension
WE DID IT!! Jefferson County has been awarded $3.2 million in stimulus funds to bring broadband internet to our communities. This was only possible through the efforts of Team Jefferson, NoaNet, JeffCom 911, and the Jefferson County Broadband Coalition. Way to go, TEAM!
For the most current information, please see the new Team Jefferson website.
Jefferson County 4-H Network News reporter Stephanie Weir interviews Representative Jay Inslee at the August 18th press conference announcing the broadband grant award. Check the 4-H Network News blog and 4-H Network News TV for additional photos and videos! What did Team Jefferson, and NOA NET, and the Jefferson County Broadband Coalition propose for Jefferson County?
Phase I Funding awarded August 18, 2010 by the Washington State Department of Commerce will connect community“anchor institutions” to the existing NoaNet broadband infrastructure including, public libraries, schools and learning institutions, cultural and community centers, emergency services, key medical centers and government facilities. This will support uses such as distance learning, telemedicine, and improved public safety communications.As fiber and wireless become available to public anchors, Phase 2 will focus on expanding service to improve commercial and residential broadband capability. Local Internet service providers will be able to utilize the new infrastructure to deploy new or improved high-speed Internet service to consumers and businesses.
What is the Jefferson County Broadband Project?
Since December 2009, EDC Team Jefferson has been working with NOA NET and a coalition of about 25 local private-public partners and technology advisors to develop a proposal to bring broadband internet access to Jefferson County. The proposal was submitted for American Recovery Act Broadband Techology Opportunities Project (BTOP) funding in the Spring of 2010.What is broadband and how does it work?
In general, broadband refers to telecommunication in which a wide band of frequencies is available to transmit information. (more)
Who could benefit from broadband?
Everyone. Large businesses need high-speed point-to-point network connections for daily commercial traffic (more)
What could broadband mean in Jefferson County?
Reliable high-speed digital infrastructure often is one component in economic growth and diversification within a community. It draws and sustains college students, clean high tech business, medical providers, and others who want to live rural yet still be connected to the world. Businesses can use broadband to expand their customer base, and save money through smart technology and energy management.
Recovery Act broadband projects help bring down the cost of private investment, attract Internet service providers to new areas, improve digital literacy among students and workers, and help create new opportunities in employment, education, and entrepreneurship by wiring homes and businesses. With new or increased broadband access, communities can compete on a level playing field to attract new businesses, schools can create distance learning opportunities, medical professionals can provide cost-efficient remote diagnoses and care, and business owners can expand the market for their products beyond their neighborhoods to better compete in the global economy
What is BTOP?
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act appropriated $7.2 billion for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access and adoption in communities across the U.S., which will increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.
The federal funds are providing grants to fund comprehensive broadband infrastructure projects, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects via its Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP
Overall, the Recovery Act is making a $100 billion investment in science, innovation and technology
American Recovery Act broadband projects help bring down the cost of private investment, attract Internet service providers to new areas, improve digital literacy among students and workers, and help create new opportunities in employment, education, and entrepreneurship by wiring homes and businesses. With new or increased broadband access, communities can compete on a level playing field to attract new businesses, schools can create distance learning opportunities, medical professionals can provide cost-efficient remote diagnoses and care, and business owners can expand the market for their products beyond their neighborhoods to better compete in the global economy.
“High-speed Internet access is increasingly important for communities to thrive in the 21st century economy,” said Deputy NTIA Administrator Anna M. Gomez. “This Recovery Act investment will create jobs, support advances in education and healthcare, and help lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.”
“Technology skills and Internet access are increasingly necessary to finding a job, but many people don’t have the resources to go online,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling. “This investment will expand computer and broadband access rural communities most in need, helping to make them full participants in today’s digital economy and creating new opportunities for success–both on and offline.”
The awards are designed to help underserved – and often hard-hit – communities overcome the distance and technology barrier by expanding connectivity between educational institutions, enabling remote medical consultations and attracting new businesses – as well as the jobs that come with them.
In total, tens of millions of Americans and over 685,000 businesses, 900 healthcare facilities and 2,400 schools in all fifty states stand to benefit from the awards. The $795 million in grants and loans through the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture have been matched by over $200 million in outside investment, for a total public-private investment of more than $1 billion in bringing broadband service to these communities, most of which currently have little or no access, to help them better compete and do business in the global marketplace.
“Broadband is the new dial tone of the 21st-century“Internet access is as important to our communications infrastructure today as reliable telephone service was a century ago. Creating an advanced network will promote economic development, expand educational opportunities and improve the availability and efficiency of government services.”
"Expanding high-speed Internet access is critical to improving America’s economic competitiveness," . Unless we use the 21st-century tools at our disposal, America will never be as connected as it could be. And that connection is crucial for our economic future." Gary Locke, Secretary of US Department of Commerce
Why is Broadband important in Washington?
Community anchor institutions are the backbone of cities all across the country, by providing public safety services, healthcare, and education.
Washington State Employment Security Department data estimates 1.16 million jobs(roughly 40% of the state’s total employment) were created by technology-based industries. Annual salaries in technology averaged $117,691, compared to a state average of $54,097.
As broadband-dependent jobs continue to be created, communities with access, education, and training in the skills required can benefit substantially. Studies show that technology based businesses support job growth, and that the deployment of broadband to communities in rural areas is vital to creating sustainable jobs, and for the state’s overall economic health.
Today, there is an imbalance in Washington between those who have access to broadband service and those who do not, and the knowledge to use it effectively in an increasingly online centric society. Broadband mapping will determine the availability and adoption levels of broadband service, and thus provide information that allows targeted federal and state investment into areas where both, infrastructure and programs are needed to enable the use and access to broadband, and provide the necessary education, skills and training.
Washington -- A Leader in the New Innovation Economy
In a report sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, ITIF employs 29 indicators to assess the extent to which the 50 state economies are structured according to the tenets of the New Economy. The changing economic landscape requires state economies to be innovative, globally-linked, entrepreneurial and dynamic, with an educated workforce and all sectors embracing the use of information technology. The report, which updates and expands on the State New Economy Index reports from 2002 and 2007, ranks the states accordingly. The five states ranking the highest in 2008 are, in order of rank, Massachusetts, Washington, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.
"Access to broadband services is essential to the sustainability of communities – its is the new train, it is the new highway- it is the #1 step we could take to further our economic development,"
"Broadband access has the ability to empower communities and open markets," Rep. Jay Inslee said. "The Recovery act is helping to put people back to work today as well as build the economic foundation we need to create well paying jobs. Through this grant, NoaNet will be able to expand services to Washington state’s rural communities, assist health providers in sharing information, and allow small businesses to connect with each other and the world."
FCC Unveils National Broadband Map
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just unveiled The National Broadband Map, the first public, searchable nationwide map of broadband Internet availability which is now available at http://www.broadbandmap.gov.
The U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) created the National Broadband Map in collaboration with the FCC, using data that each state, territory and the District of Columbia (or their designees) collected from broadband providers or other data sources. The data will support efforts to expand broadband access and adoption in communities at risk of being left behind in the 21st century economy and help businesses and consumers seeking information on their high-speed Internet options.
“High-speed Internet access is increasingly important for communities to thrive in the 21st century economy. This Recovery Act investment will create jobs, support advances in education and healthcare, and help lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.” --Deputy NTIA Administrator Anna M. Gomez
"Good news for our community! Team Jefferson was absolutely instrumental in getting Jefferson County’s proposal put together and included in the NOANet/Washington package. Our thanks too to all our JeffCom partners for allowing us to use the JeffCom Tower project as match in order to qualify for this exciting investment in our community." --Jefferson County Administrator Philip Morley