Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
32°  H- 93%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Wednesday October 8, 2008
 Make us your homepage!
 

Daily Digest


Election Day Approaching
The last day for Massachusetts residents to register to vote in the Nov. 4 presidential election is Wednesday, Oct. 15. Out of town that day? Apply for an absentee ballot at your town or city clerk's office.

For more information or to find out if you are registered:
North Adams City Clerk: 413-662-3015
Williamstown Town Clerk: 413-458-9341


16. A ball atop a stone
17. Town and country


Find out what's happening in the Berkshires

How much is heating oil this week?
Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how.
Win a restaurant gift certificate.

Obituaries

Orville Hamilton Thornall, 90
Archer A. Jones, Jr., 83
Robert A. Burdick Jr., 54
Lillian P. O'Brien, 88
More obituaries

Newest Videos


Fall Foliage Children's Parade

Clarksburg Police Station Open House

Bike Night in Adams

Sales Fliers

 
 

What's Playing


Michael Cera and Kat Dennings find love in a New York night in "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist."
Movie schedules and times

Columnists

That's Life

In the Grip of Election Fever

Bill Schmick

Pass the Plan

Pick of the Week

Stryker/Slagle Band

Sports N' Stuff

NFL Week 2


Outside the Berkshires

Statistics, Lies and Videotape
Just the facts on the Biden/Palin debate
Police Protest Road Work Change
No Takers for Mass. Debt

Putin Shoots a Tiger

 Search: 
 for    


Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Patrick Files $25M Broadband Bill

- October 19, 2007

BOSTON – Focusing on one of his key economic development priorities, Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday filed a $25 million bond bill to make targeted investments in broadband infrastructure in Massachusetts communities without high-speed Internet access.

The legislation calls for the creation of a Massachusetts Broadband Institute within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The institute will administer the new Broadband Incentive Fund, capitalized by general obligation bonds, to invest in publicly owned broadband infrastructure and partner with private firms to connect the commonwealth’s 32 unserved communities by 2010.

"Today's global economy requires that every corner of our commonwealth be wired for the 21st Century,” said Patrick. "The digital divide that persists in too many Massachusetts communities has gone on for long enough. This bond bill begins the important work of bridging that divide so every student and every business can compete on a level playing field."

The initiative is targeted at rural communities - many within Berkshire County - and has had the strong support of the Berkshire delegation.

"I share the administration's enthusiasm for expanding broadband access to underserved and unserved communities throughout the state. This is a great opportunity for the state to empower and cultivate existing talent," said state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, in a statement. "Particularly for areas like Western Massachusetts, this initiative begins to level the playing field for local students, residents and businesses by opening the door to an enormous amount of information and resources. It is a great example of collaborative public policy development.”

The new Broadband Institute will be led by a governing board consisting of key state policymakers and governor-appointed experts. It will use the incentive fund to invest in fiber-optic cable, conduits, wireless towers and other long-lived broadband infrastructure in unserved areas. These investments will make it more attractive and cost-effective for private companies to partner with the state to deliver complete broadband solutions for residents and businesses in the region.

"To be viable and competitive in the information age, we must commit to invest in the infrastructure needed to serve every student, every business, and every home in the commonwealth," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, in a statement. "This legislation lays the foundation necessary to do just that. The effects of this effort will be felt throughout the commonwealth, particularly in the Western Massachusetts communities - many of which I represent - where the need is greatest."

The legislation empowers the board to work with state agencies, municipalities and private entities to devise an operating plan to remove roadblocks to service. Private partners will be selected through a competitive solicitation. The institute will have the ability to work closely with both incumbent telecommunications and broadband providers and new market entrants.

"There's ample evidence that access to broadband triggers profound job creation and economic development opportunities," said Dan O'Connell, secretary of Housing and Economic Development. "The residents and businesses of unserved communities will realize a significant return on a very targeted and worthwhile investment and our state's entire economy will be that much stronger because of it."

The first priority for the fund’s investments will be unserved areas, where the need for broadband is most urgent. Thirty-two towns in Massachusetts currently have no broadband access whatsoever. An additional 63 communities are partially served, with broadband available only in certain areas of the community. All but one of the completely unserved communities, as well as many of the underserved ones, are located in Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.

"This is a huge step forward in our goal to get every community in the state connected to the whole wide world, starting with Western Massachusetts where broadband connectivity is severely lacking," said state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst.

Sharon E. Gillett, commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable, said the institute will develop private-public partnerships and consider technology and business models that will include wired and wireless infrastructure as well regional and local solutions.

"With the establishment of the Broadband Institute, Massachusetts will lead the nation in recognizing the economic necessity of tackling broadband deficits, along with states like Vermont and California," said Director of Wireless and Broadband Affairs Stan McGee.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.berkshireheartwalk.org
iberkshires.com
www.newenglandblood.org
www.williamsinn.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Borrow Movies
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Weddings | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 235 ms