How Essential is Broadband in Your Community?

Role of community foundations and free resources to help

Broadband is essential for communities – it can mean more robust economic development, more access to health care, stronger and more diverse educational options, and enhanced public safety.

Because every community has different needs and resources, there is no “one size fits all” approach to deploying and accessing broadband. This can sometimes stall community efforts as they struggle with beginning the process of planning for current and future broadband needs. But help is available for community and private foundations.

This webinar explores:

• the why behind broadband as an essential 21st century infastructural need for communities
• free technical assistance, resources, and tool-kits available for your communities and foundations
• the experiences from Blandin Foundation in helping communities around broadband
• the work of Cleveland Foundation as they seek to engage in the issue of broadband capacity

Presenters

• Karen Hanson, Partnerships and Interagency Affairs, BroadbandUSA
• Bernadine Joselyn, Director of Public Policy and Engagement, Blandin Foundation
• Leon Wilson, Chief Digital Innovation and Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Foundation

Already Have Questions?

Contact 202-482-0213 to speak with Karen Hanson and her team now. Ready for technical assistance today? Complete the request form for technical assistance and return to Karen Hanson or email BroadbandUSA@ntia.doc.gov.

Learn More

• NTIA's BroadbandUSA, a program within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to helping communities improve their broadband capacity. BroadbandUSA offers free technical assistance, resources and toolkits to communities.
• During the webinar, a representative from BroadbandUSA will share more information about the importance of broadband as well as available BroadbandUSA services and resources. Representatives from the Blandin Foundation and the Cleveland Foundation will also participate to provide examples of how they have supported broadband deployment and adoption strategies within their communities.