WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Broadband for America (BfA), a coalition of more than 190 member companies and organizations, which share the goal of bringing broadband Internet to every home and business in the nation, announces the formation of its New York State Advisory Board.  

Broadband for America’s New York State Advisory Board will focus on developing programs that deliver the message that broadband is creating jobs, fostering the growth of small businesses, and enhancing the lives of every citizen in the state.    

Marcus Ferguson, Director of Government Affairs of the Business Council of New York State said, “By bringing broadband access to the Internet to every household and business, we can jump start the formation of new businesses, the hiring of new employees as existing businesses grow, and ensure more New Yorkers have access to life-saving information and resources.” 

From the Bronx in New York City, to Suffolk County on Long Island, to Clinton County in the North Country and Chautauqua County along the Southern Tier, broadband access to the Internet for every resident of New York State is crucial to our economic, cultural, health and social well-being,” said Dr. Hector Castro of Beth Israel’s Latino Health Institute. 

The broadband and information technology sectors created nearly half of all new jobs in 2008 and contribute nearly $1 trillion to the nation’s economy annually.  The major network providers have invested $100 billion in the past two years in their networks, so at a time when most industrial centers have been reducing their workforces, the broadband industry has been growing. 

In addition to announcing the New York Advisory Board, Broadband for America is launching a new page on its website, which details the benefits of broadband Internet in The Empire State, and profiles members of the coalition.   

To view Broadband for America’s New York-specific webpage, click here. 

The members of the Broadband for America (BfA) New York State Advisory Board are: 

• Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition
• Business Council of New York State
• Cable Telecommunications Association of New York
• Dr. Hector Castro of the Beth Israel Latino Health Institute
• Latino Health Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center
• New York State Center for Disability Rights
• Regional Center for Independent Living
• Safe, Healthy, Affordable, Reliable Energy (SHARE)

Broadband for America (BfA) is a growing coalition of over 190 members ranging from independent consumer advocacy groups, to content and application providers, to the companies which build and maintain the Internet. The complete BfA membership list is available at: http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/about/members   

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