Connect Minnesota Updates Broadband Inventory Maps to Prepare for Federal Stimulus

St. Paul, MN –Today, Connect Minnesota, a non-profit group partnering with the state, released an updated version of the statewide broadband inventory map that illustrates the extent of broadband services available across Minnesota. The Connect Minnesota map, which represents broadband availability data from 110 broadband providers across the state, is expected to serve as a key asset for the state as it prepares for federal stimulus funding to support broadband investment.

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Connected Nation’s Partnerships Narrow the Digital Divide for Minorities

Chicago, IL: On June 12, the National Black Chamber of Commerce held its Broadband Summit, addressing issues of connectivity in minority populations. Speakers included Larry Ivory, president of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, senior vice president of external affairs for One Economy; Ernest Green, president and chief executive officer of E&E Enterprises Global, Inc. and Jessica Ditto, external affairs director with Connected Nation.
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Arkansas State Library Hosts Summit to Kickoff Statewide Effort to Improve Internet Access in State’s Public Libraries

Little Rock, AR: Today, Governor Mike Beebe addressed more than 100 library leaders, community partners, broadband providers and local and state leaders gathered for the Arkansas Opportunity Online Broadband Summit to take the first steps to improving connectivity in the Arkansas public libraries. Assembled by the Arkansas State Library, the summit participants examined the benefits of high-speed Internet connectivity in Arkansas public libraries and communities and explored new solutions to improve and sustain connectivity.
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New York Libraries Invited to Participate in a Pilot Program to Improve Internet Connections

Albany, NY – Each year, more than 50 million New York residents use Internet computers in public libraries to find jobs, take online courses, or obtain important government forms. However, nearly 10% of all New York’s 1100 public libraries and branches do not offer Internet connections fast To help ensure that every library in New York can provide adequate Internet connections, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has invited the New York State Library to participate in its pilot Opportunity Online broadband grant program, which will help libraries in seven states connect to high-speed Internet access. enough to meet the needs of its patrons, according to a recent survey of all public libraries in the state.
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Library of Virginia Hosts Summit to Kickoff Statewide Effort to Improve Internet Access in State’s Public Libraries

Hot Springs, VA: Today, more than 100 library leaders, community partners, broadband providers and local and state leaders gathered for the Virginia Opportunity Online Broadband Summit to take the first steps to improving connectivity in the Virginia public libraries. Assembled by the Library of Virginia, the summit participants examined the benefits of high-speed Internet connectivity in Virginia public libraries and communities and explored new solutions to improve and sustain connectivity.
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Massachusetts Library Leaders, State Leaders and Providers Discuss How to Improve Internet Access in State’s Public Libraries

Boston, MA: Seventy percent of people who use their public library’s computers report that this is their primary connection to the Internet. Yet nearly one-fourth of Massachusetts public libraries lack the connectivity necessary to perform online functions like taking an interactive, online educational course with streaming video or audio and reading a basic Web site for instructive content; or downloading lengthy government applications in seconds versus struggling with freezing or intermittent connections to access a basic government Web site.

Over the last two days, more than 200 library leaders, community partners, broadband providers and local and state leaders committed to improving connectivity in the state joined the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to examine the benefits of high-speed Internet connectivity in Massachusetts public libraries and explore new solutions to improve and sustain library connectivity.

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