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Kentucky's Governor Provides Broadband Leadership

Kentucky ranks 44th in its proportion of high-tech companies; 45th in household computer use; and 43rd in citizen Internet use. Improving the first point requires addressing the latter two. ConnectKentucky addresses each of these challenges, by first identifying needs across the Commonwealth and then implementing community-specific plans. This initiative will expand broadband infrastructure, increase computer and Internet adoption, and ultimately increase the number of technology companies and workers in Kentucky.

Regional, state, and national organizations will play an increasingly important role in the spread of broadband throughout the US. Witness the Commonwealth of Kentucky - although his state ranks low on most lists of progressive states, Kentucky's Governor Ernie Fletcher has demonstrated political leadership, taking the bull by the horns and creating an initiative to support his cities in bringing in broadband with the Connect Kentucky program to support technology growth in Kentucky. And the process they follow, first identifying needs, then implementing community-specific plans is exactly the process advocated on these pages. It makes sense - first identify the problem, then develop the solution - a solution custom tailored for each city's needs.

Despite the name of my website, I'm interested not only in unwired, but also wired networks, as made apparent by includion of fiber and BPL references on this site. And also, despite the name of my website, I believe that counties and states, as well as large associations and electric utilities with large service territories have a vested interest and a significant role to play in making broadband access widely available. This is not just a story about what cities are doing. As the momentum of the municipal broadband movement grows, watch for larger groups to play an ever greater supporting role for cites, just like we see in Kentucky and other highly motivated states today.

Posted on September 30, 2005 at 08:45 AM

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