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Three More States Announce Broadband Projects
Posted September 17th, 2010 by BfA StaffAs new broadband projects continue to be announced across all 50 states, we’re bringing you a closer look at some of the efforts to bring high-speed Internet access to every American home and business. Here is a look at some of those new broadband projects being announced:
Voices Across the Country Speak Up In Favor of New Broadband Projects
Posted August 26th, 2010 by BfA StaffAs broadband access and adoption projects continue to expand around the country, many of those communities benefitting from broadband are beginning to take notice. Here is a look at editorials from around the country where those broadband projects are getting underway:
Washington State Debuts New Interactive Broadband Map
Posted May 21st, 2010 by BfA StaffThe Seattle Times reports that Washington State has unveiled a new interactive broadband map where state residents can go to check the availability of high-speed Internet in their area. A number of states have launched broadband mapping projects to determine which areas of their state are underserved, but this map is unique in some of the services it provides to residents. From the article:
After you enter an address, the map lists broadband providers in that area, the technology they use and their advertised upload and download speeds. Additional map layers that can be displayed include population, age, median income, education level, land use and small business locations. The state also is offering a link to an Internet connection speed test to see how fast your service really is, plus an optional survey for reporting your situation.
You can view the broadband map here and read the full article here.
Four More States Announce Health IT Projects
Posted April 6th, 2010 by BfA StaffAs part of the new national Health IT push, several new projects are getting underway to train healthcare professionals in the use of electronic health records and other broadband powered innovations. Here is a look at four of new projects getting off the ground:
Ohio: The state has received a $7.5 million grant as part of a new national Health IT initiative. Tri-C and other regional community colleges will use the funding to train current and new Health IT workers. “There is going to be a tremendous ongoing need for people to be trained in how to develop, maintain and use electronic health record information systems,” said Jerry Sue Thornton, president of Cuyahoga Community College. “This funding allows us to build on the strengths of not only our local health care partners who are ahead of the curve on electronic medical records, but also a strong network of partners across a 10-state region to deliver this training.” Read the full story here.
Texas: Texas State University has been awarded a $5.4 million grant to train individuals in the Health IT sector. Students will take part in a one-year intensive training program and receive a certificate upon completion. "Training a cadre of new health IT professionals and breaking down barriers to the adoption of meaningful use of health IT are both critical to the national effort to use information technology to realize better patient care," said Dr. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health information technology. Read the Texas Statesman Journal article here.Read more
Four More States Launch Broadband Access Projects
Posted March 15th, 2010 by BfA StaffFour more states recently announced broadband infrastructure projects, which will bring high-speed Internet access to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. The projects include several job creation efforts and a plan to expand broadband access to the most underserved state in the nation.
In Idaho: $9.8 million in funding will be used to build out fiber lines to connect local medical facilities and libraries in underserved rural areas of Whitman County. “Port of Whitman is thrilled to have these dedicated broadband infrastructure funds to help bridge the digital divide in our area," said Joe Poire, Executive Director of Port of Whitman. "This will help provide our citizens and our rural region the same opportunities for economic growth that you see in metropolitan areas.” The project’s developers noted its long-term economic growth potential, which will see the same lines available for commercial use connecting to county homes and businesses. Read the full KLEW TV report here.
In Maryland: Using a combination of federal grants and private investments, Coppin State University will invest more than $1 million to build a campus-based community broadband center. The funding will support 60 computer labs. "The idea is for people to use IT to grow in all of those areas," said York Bradshaw, the university's director of the Institute for Local to Global Community Engagement. "This will allow us to engage with the surrounding neighborhood in many new ways." Read the full Baltimore Sun story here.Read more
Three More States Launch Broadband and Health IT Projects
Posted March 2nd, 2010 by BfA StaffThree more states have announced broadband and health IT deployment projects, which are expected to create hundreds of new jobs, expand broadband access and build statewide health networks driven by high-speed Internet technology. Here is a look at the newly announced projects:
In California: The California Health and Human Services Agency will use $38.8 million to build a statewide health information exchange (HIE). The funding will be used to connect several already existing regional health networks within the state.
In Utah: The state has received a $13.4 million grant to expand broadband access through the UEN program, which will provide high-speed Internet to more than 35 public libraries, 99 charter schools and seven Head Start centers. The UEN program already provides broadband access through more than 300 Utah schools. In addition, the program will create an estimated 450 jobs.
"Money spent building this digital superhighway benefits every Utah family that has access to a computer at home, in a library or school — now and for years to come," said Rep. Jim Matheson at the project’s announcement.
In Washington State: The state has received an $84 million grant to expand broadband access to rural and underserved areas. Part of the investment will also go towards creating WA-HealthNet, a statewide health network powered by broadband. The statewide Health IT network will allow health centers to exchange medical records including diagnostic imaging and lab results.


