State Broadband Authorities

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce created the State Broadband Initiative. The partnership between state government officials, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission included an important component for state officials in broadband mapping. But State Broadband Initiatives did much more: They coordinated infrastructure investments, facilitated training and grants for digital literacy and digital inclusion, and helped raise consumer awareness about broadband. What’s the next chapter for state broadband authorities?

Panelists:

• Scott Rudd, Director of Broadband Opportunities, Indiana Broadband Office
• Teresa Ferguson, Director of Federal Broadband Engagement, Colorado Broadband Office (CBO)
• Matt Schmit, Director, Illinois Office of Broadband
• Kenrick Gordon, Director, Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband, Maryland
• Burt Lum, Strategy Officer, the Hawaii Broadband Initiative
• Drew Clark (moderator), Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast