Localism

The city of Indio (CA) is planning to build its own fiber-based broadband network. In late October of 2021, the city launched its Fiber Master Plan project, with a goal of ascertaining whether the quality of life and real-world functionality of residents and businesses would be improved if the city could help provide them with high-quality, affordable and consistent broadband access. Kevin Snyder, Indio’s director of community development, is awaiting the results of a survey of Indio’s residents and businesses. “I would say that there are probably two major objectives,” Snyder said.

Communities across the United States have gotten an unexpected gift from the Biden Administration in the form of additional flexibility to use American Rescue Plan funds for needed broadband investments, particularly those focused on low-income neighborhoods in urban areas. When Congress developed and passed the American Rescue Plan Act, it tasked the Treasury Department with writing the rules for some key programs, including the State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

City and South Bend (IN) school leaders are once again expanding internet access to eligible students and families. The Citywide Classroom South Bend program — a partnership between the city, South Bend schools and local nonprofit enFocus — will now provide access to all 21st Century Scholars, teachers, staff and school employees in the South Bend district.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission denied funding for an innovative public-private partnership to expand broadband infrastructure. The implications of that decision for other entities considering similar partnerships -- such as Platte County (NE) and Loup -- remain unclear.  The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act set up a fund of $40 million to be awarded to broadband infrastructure projects in Nebraska by the public service commission. The $40 million will be distributed in two grant cycles, one in 2021 and the other in 2022. There was $20 million up for grabs in the 2021 cycle.

123NET, Michigan’s largest local fiber internet provider, announced its partnership with the Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP) and Grace in Action Collectives (GIAC) to bring high-speed, low-cost internet to an underserved Detroit (MI) neighborhood as part of the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) in an undertaking known as Project OVERCOME. The one-year project aims to create long-term sustainable infrastructure for digital services to the Southwest Detroit neighborhood.

Deer Isle (ME) is one of many places in the US where it can be a pain to get good internet access. At least, that’s what residents, visitors, the town manager and the state — all the folks who actually try to use a connection — say. Spectrum tells another story. In recent months, the internet provider has cited Federal Communications Commission maps to insist that it covers almost all of the island and that the area doesn’t need federal money that might help a rival build out more capacity and access.

Too many Mainers, especially those not living in Portland, Bangor and other cities, are routinely told that a broadband internet connection is just not possible. Or, it’ll cost tens of thousands to simply run a line to where they need it. A modern, fast, internet connection has become a requirement in today’s connected world. Sadly, Maine ranks 44^th out of all US states in connectivity. If our students, businesses, and health services are going to thrive, that needs to change.

At a time when Americans can work and learn remotely from just about anywhere, internet access isn't a luxury it's a necessity. However, a large part of rural Wisconsin has been left behind. According to a report from Forward Analytics, hundreds of thousands of people in Wisconsin do not have access to high-speed internet at all. The report shows 25 percent of Wisconsin's rural population lack access to high-speed internet.

Broadband efforts in Colorado remain a high priority, with Brandy Reitter to serve as the new executive director of the Colorado Broadband Office. Reitter, who has been serving in local government for the last 15 years, will begin her new role at the Colorado Broadband Office in February 2022, replacing Julia Richman, who serves as deputy executive director of the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Reitter will lead the state’s broadband strategy during a time of robust advancement and development of Internet connectivity, particularly for rural areas.

With an influx of federal funding for broadband development, the Kansas governor's office is championing a goal to have the state among the leaders in high-speed internet access by the end of the decade. "We understand how high the stakes are," said Lieutenant Gov and Commerce Secretary David Toland (D-KS).