DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED. STAY TUNED . . . . . . .
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Municipalities have a vested interest in the outcome of ARRA broadband stimulus funding and the FCC's National Broadband Plan. It represents, in many cases, an opportunity to ignite commerce and growth in their communities.
Penn State Cooperative Extension, Education Councils to Host Video Seminar on June 1
“Municipal Opportunities for Rural Broadband Deployment” will be held on Tuesday, June 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 8 locations throughout North Central Pennsylvania. This 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.
Featured speakers will be Luc Miron, Commonwealth of PA, Office of Administration; Sue Suleski, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Technology Investment Office; Thomas Nehilla, Esq. of Rhoads and Sinon LLC and the Honorable Douglas Morley, Chairman, Potter County Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Miron will discuss the Commonwealth’s ARRA funded project to build upon the physical infrastructure of the state's public safety microwave network. This middle mile infrastructure 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.
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.
Mr. Nehilla 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.
Mr. Morley will moderate the event from the Coudersport site. He will provide an overview of issues municipalities should consider given the upcoming deployment of broadband throughout the region and will include suggestions on best practices and strategies to implement. Following the panel presentation, Mr. Morley will coordinate a question and answer session between all the video sites.
Rob Sayre, President of Empowered Municipality, will moderate from the Harrisburg site.
Municipal managers, zoning officers and county planners are encouraged to attend the event at any of the North Central sites.
They are:
- Potter County Education Council, 227 North Main, Coudersport;
- Warren/Forest Higher Education Council, 185 Hospital Drive, Warren;
- Clarion County Cooperative Extension, 8 Grant Street, Clarion;
- Elk County Cooperative Extension, Elk County Courthouse, 240 Main Street, Ridgway;
- Jefferson County Cooperative Extension, 180 Main Street, Brookville;
- Lycoming County Cooperative Extension, 542 County Farm Rd, Suite 206,
- Montoursville; McKean County Cooperative Extension, 911 Center, Smethport;
- Tioga County Cooperative Extension, Courthouse Annex, 118 Main Street, Wellsboro.
To register, call (insert local office sending press release & phone #) or the Potter County Education Council at 814-274-4877. There is no charge for the event and light refreshments will be served.
This event is sponsored by the Pennsylvania eCommerce Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Potter County Education Council, Empowered Municipality and North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission.
