BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Lander County leaders have enrolled their community in an innovative program that seeks to boost the local economy and quality of life for residents through increased access, adoption and use of broadband.
Staff members from Connect Nevada, the statewide nonprofit promoting broadband expansion, are guiding area leaders through the steps of the new Connected Community Engagement Program.
Connected offers a comprehensive and localized way for communities to bridge the digital divide and embrace technology planning for future prosperity.
The Lander County Connected community leadership team recently met in both Battle Mountain and Austin to begin building the plan to ensure that every home, school, organization and business in the county has access to broadband.
More than a dozen local leaders are already involved in the project. The committee is part of Nevada's plan to deliver broadband access to every part of the state and to increase the number of high-tech companies and jobs in Nevada.
The team will assess the current state of technology in the county, determine what improvements are needed and devise a plan for achieving those goals.
Community members interested in the project are welcome to join future meetings. Volunteers represent the following areas:
• Business and industry
• Healthcare
• Libraries
• K-12 education
• Higher education
• Community-based organizations
• Government
• Agriculture
• Tourism, recreation and parks
The meetings are organized by Connect Nevada, a nonprofit working to accelerate the availability and use of technology throughout
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the state towards creating a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare, more efficient government and enhanced education.
Lander County's Gina Little is excited to see the opportunities for technological progress that the Connected process will bring.
She said, "We are excited to be a part of this important initiative that will put our residents on the information superhighway. As our world becomes increasingly technology-driven, we don't want to be left behind. The Connected Community Engagement Program will help us achieve a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare, enhanced education and more efficient government."
The use of broadband technology is already enhancing the lives and businesses of citizens all across the state. In fact, Nevada businesses with broadband report an average of $100,000 higher annual revenue than businesses without.
Many companies cite the availability of broadband as essential to starting or expanding their operations. The Internet also allows small businesses, even those based in remote locations to compete worldwide.
Broadband also promises to boost the economy and quality of life in Nevada. For example, doctors can remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses, working parents can complete their college degrees by attending classes online, and tourists can make online reservations.
For more information about the project or to join the Connected community technology team, please contact Connect Nevada Program Manager Lindsey Niedzielski at lniedzielski@connectnv.org or (775) 343-9600.
The next meeting of the Lander County Connected community technology team is set for Monday, May 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Battle Mountain General Hospital and Austin High School.
Connected Nation developed the Connected Community Engagement Program to help guide a community through an assessment of its overall broadband and technology status.
Connected Certified Communities have measurably demonstrated their proficiency for effective access, adoption and use of broadband supported technologies.
Connected Nation through its partners provides a national platform for recognizing those communities that excel across these important benchmarks.
Funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), this effort is part of the State Broadband Initiative. http://www.connectednation.org/get-connected
About Connect Nevada: The Governor's Office and the Nevada Broadband Task Force are leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access, adoption and use across the state.
Connect Nevada is a nonprofit organization that was commissioned by the state to work with all Nevada broadband providers, create detailed maps of current broadband coverage and coordinate efforts with other federal grant award recipients in the state.
Connect Nevada is now supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. The goal is to spread high-speed Internet across the state and make sure all Nevada residents have access to its life-changing benefits. For more information visit: www.connectnv.org. Follow Connect Nevada on Facebook and Twitter.
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