Businesses, citizens and local governments have a vested interest in the outcome of ARRA broadband stimulus funding and the FCC's National Broadband Plan.

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It represents, in many cases, an opportunity to ignite commerce and growth in their communities.  The video seminar will highlight ARRA funded projects, best practices and successful strategies that municipal leaders may implement for the successful deployment of broadband in rural areas.

Agenda:

8:00 a.m.:    Breakfast and networking

 
8:20 a.m.:    Welcome and Introductions
        Rob Sayre, Empowered Municipality

8:25-8:45:    Middle Mile Broadband Project
        Luc Miron, Commonwealth of PA, Office of Administration

8:45-9:05:    Broadband Mapping and Broadband Demand Aggregation
        Sue Suleski, PA Department of Community and Economic Development

9:05-9:25:    Municipal Strategies
        Tom Nehilla, Esq. Rhoads and Sinon, LLP

9:25-9:45:    Next Steps for Advancing Broadband
        Doug Morley, Chairman, Potter County Board of Commissioners

9:45-10:00:    Question and Answer from video linked sites
        Rob Sayre, Moderator

Sponsored by:
North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania eCommerce Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Potter County Education Council and Empowered Municipality.

  

Hosted by: 

Potter County Education Council, 227 North Main, Coudersport;

Warren County Cooperative Extension, 100 Dillon Drive, Suite 101, Youngsville;

Clarion County Cooperative Extension, 8 Grant Street, Clarion;

Elk County Cooperative Extension, Courthouse, 240 Main Street, Ridgway;

Jefferson County Cooperative Extension, 180 Main Street, Brookville;

Penn College of Technology, 1127 W. 4th Street, Williamsport;

McKean County Cooperative Extension, 911 Center, Smethport;

Tioga County Cooperative Extension, Courthouse Annex, 118 Main Street, Wellsboro;

Clinton County Cooperative Extension, 47 Cooperation Lane, Mill Hall.



About our Presenters:

Luc Miron, Office of Administration, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth received a $28.8 million ARRA grant for the deployment of middle mile broadband infrastructure in northern Pennsylvania. The funding agency is the federal Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the grant is part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The grant will be administered by the Governor's Office of Administration.

This middle mile broadband project builds upon physical infrastructure of the state's public safety microwave network. The grant will allow the Commonwealth to add excess network capacity to the network. Local telecommunications companies and internet service providers will be able to purchase the excess capacity at a competitive price point to serve citizens, schools and businesses in the area. The 32 county region covered by the project is currently unserved or underserved by commercial broadband providers due to distance, topography and/or lack of population density.
Contact:  717-705-5462, lmiron@state.pa.us

 Sue Suleski, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Technology Investment Office

Ms. Suleski is responsible for the ARRA-funded State Broadband Data and Development (SBDD) Program, as well as the implementation of broadband outreach and demand aggregation programs.  Under a federal SBDD grant, the Commonwealth will build upon current broadband mapping efforts previously undertaken and required by state statute.  Non-proprietary data related to broadband availability and speeds will be made available in a public portal and will be searchable at the street address level via a GIS interface.  The project also includes a planning and collaboration component aimed at encouraging broadband adoption by select constituents and more vulnerable communities.
Contact:  717-701-6755, ssuleski@state.pa.us
 
Tom Nehilla, Esq., Rhoads and Sinon, LLC

Tom Nehilla concentrates his practice in commercial real estate and infrastructure development projects, as well as the financing of such projects.  He represents small business and large corporate clients as well as municipal authorities.  He will provide an overview of issues municipalities should consider given the upcoming deployment of broadband throughout the region.  These will include suggestions on best practices and strategies to implement.
Contact:  717-231-6630. thehilla@rhoads-sinon.com

Doug Morley, Chairman, Potter County Board of Commissioners

Doug Morley will provide an update on regional developments on broadband deployment and how the state ARRA program can have an important economic and workforce development impact for the region.  He will provide information on how municipalities can become involved in task forces and initiatives.
Contact:  814-274-8290 extension 202, dmorley@pottercountypa.net

Rob Sayre, President-Publisher, Empowered Municipality

Robert Sayre will moderate the program from the Harrisburg site.  He and was Business Manager for the Book Division of Rodale Press, publisher of Men’s Health, Prevention and Organic Gardening.  He launched www.empoweredmunicipality.com  in December 2009. The site is an information portal providing important news and resources to over 12,000 municipal decision makers in Pennsylvania. Contact:  888-527-2373, rsayre@empoweredmunicipality.com

Advancing the Broadband Agenda
Thursday, October 14
8:00-10:00 a.m.
Video Seminar