Thursday, July 10, 2003
A new report assesses Indiana's broadband access and concludes that the state is coming up short. At the same time, a lot of innovative initiatives are underway:
For example, Scottsburg (in southern Indiana near Louisville) started a city-owned utility to provide consistent access. In Bloomington, Digital Underground is installing underground fiber optic conduits throughout the city.
The Department of Commerce, Indiana Economic Development Council and Central Indiana Corporate Partnership sponsored the report. You can download it here.
On July 16 the Indiana Broadband Conference will explore the implications of the report. Participants hope to define initiatives to get broadband access to 80 percent of Indiana residents by the end of next year. Learn more.
Here's an article that discusses various national efforts to bring broadband to rural areas. Go.
Today in our history of innovation...
Sometimes we forget that innovation is also important in the public sector.
In 1892, public officials in Bellefountaine, Ohio cut the ribbon on the first concrete-paved street. In 1933, public officials in Eastchester Township, NY began using the first police radio system.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Indiana examines broadband access
