Message from Drew Clark, Executive Director
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There’s never a dull moment in our quest to ensure Better Broadband and Better Lives for the citizens of Illinois! In our outreach efforts, we are working to meet the needs of many constituencies: consumers that use high-speed internet, providers that sell broadband, the economic development stakeholders that work hand-in-hand with our eTeam regions… and also policy-makers on all levels of government. Our Broadband Illinois website reflects the diverse needs of our audience. Now, with this newsletter, we hope to reach out to each of you with useful information about our small, startup non-profit organization. Learn more about who we are by visiting http://broadbandillinois.org/about/staff.html. One of the most important new facts about us is that we have recently moved to a spot above Pease’s Candy Store, across the street from the Old State Capitol here in Springfield. We held an open house last Thursday, welcoming many of our diverse stakeholders to see what it is like to labor for broadband here in Central Illinois in the heartland of our country. As you learn more about us – through this newsletter, through our web site, and through the eTeam activities in Illinois – we hope to learn from you about how we can help you build Better Broadband, Better Lives!
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Eliminate the Digital Divide Grant Deadline
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Community Technology Centers throughout Illinois have until Friday, March 16, to submit applications for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Eliminate the Digital Divide Grant Program. The program provides funding to community technology centers that provide residents of eligible low-income communities access to computers, training, and other technologies. Community technology centers can include everything from schools and libraries to hospitals and park districts, as long as they are open to the public for at least 12 hours each week. Visit the Eliminate the Digital Divide website to download an application, learn more about the program, and to find out if your community is eligible.
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Illinois Gigabit Challenge Webinar
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Log in at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, March 14, for a follow-up Illinois Gigabit Challenge webinar, hosted by Broadband Illinois. Participants will receive answers to questions regarding viable projects, application procedures, and other questions raised in the kick-off webinar. Click here to register for the webinar and email clayton.black@broadbandillinois.org with questions. To learn more about the challenge, visit http://gigabit.illinois.gov.
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High Speed Internet Usage Survey
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Illinois needs high-speed Internet access to enhance economic development and job growth, improve educational opportunities and health care, and maintain quality of life for future generations. Represent your part of the state by participating in our high-speed Internet usage survey. The results will be included in the state’s broadband plans. Visit http://broadbandillinois.org/research.html to complete a household or organization survey.
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We’re hiring!
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Broadband Illinois is growing and we’ve launched a statewide search to fill three newly-created positions. The first is a Springfield-based Program Manager who will oversee an innovative grant program focused on economic development and job creation. We’re also looking for an eTeam Coordinator to convene and collaborate with Chicagoland stakeholders and an eTeam Outreach Assistant to help in our Springfield office. Visit our Job Postings page to see full descriptions and to apply. Contact amy@broadbandillinois.org with questions.
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We've Moved! 531 East Washington, 5 th Floor Springfield, IL 62701 Phone: (217) 280-4066 Fax: (217) 718-4546 roxana.ryan@broadbandillinois.org Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! The Partnership for a Connected Illinois, Inc. (PCI), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Springfield, Illinois. Its missions are to ensure broadband access throughout the State of Illinois, maximize broadband’s impact and use, and collect and publish broadband-related data, information, and research. |