a. neville broadband

8/12/2019 A. Neville Broadband

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Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation

Alaska ResourcesThe State of Play

Regional Applications for a Digital Economy SWAMC, Dec 2012

www.swamc.org/files/RegionalApplicatonsDigitalEconomy_FINAL.pdf

Discusses broadband availability, adoption and prices in southwest Alaska

Alaska Broadband Task Force Draft Plan: A Blueprint for Alaskas Future, A Report from

the Statewide Broadband Task Force, Aug 2013

http://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report|A-Blueprint-for-Alaska%27s-Broadband-Future.pdf

Discusses statewide need, current assets, recommendations, cost of implementation, greatexamples of current uses of IT and broadband in communities throughout the state

Toward Universal Broadband in Rural Alaska: An Analysis of Internet Use in SouthwestAlaska, Dr. Heather Hudson, ISER, Nov 2012

http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdf

Studies internet use in SW AK, particularly those served through Terra SW
http://www.swamc.org/files/RegionalApplicatonsDigitalEconomy_FINAL.pdf%E2%80%8Ehttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report%7CA-Blueprint-for-Alaska's-Broadband-Future.pdfhttp://www.swamc.org/files/RegionalApplicatonsDigitalEconomy_FINAL.pdf%E2%80%8E


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SWAMC Report Findings and Recommendations

Report makes three key findings (direct quotes, page iii)

The region has wide variation in levels of available connectivity; significant portions are likely to bedependent on satellite-delivered broadband in the foreseeable future.

The regions technologists, especially in schools and health care facilities, are pushing the highest possiblelevels of applications across their networks, constrained by available bandwidth.

Most organizations are focused on solving their own connectivity issues by themselves or within theireconomic sector rather than at the community level.

And makes four recommendations (direct quotes, page iii)

Raise the level of interest and concern about broadband.

Form and support a regional technology council to develop collaborative broadband access and adoptionstrategies.

Provide local businesses with e-business training and consulting they need to succeed in the digitalmarketplace.

Encourage use and development of broadband applications.

Support at least one community location where residents have access to high-speed internet connection ofat least 20 Mbps.


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Sample of BB Task Force Draft Plan Recommendations

Adopt an objective of symmetrical 100 Mbps service to home and businesses.

Establish an Office of Broadband Policy

Encourage each community to implement its own last-mile solution and incentivize 24hour internet access at community centers/meeting places

Establish public-private partnerships with industry innovators and entrepreneurs Public-private partnership models for technology training, production, and adoption in

communities in (i.e., rural, low-income, immigrant, senior populations).

Streamline state e-government systems and foster improved user access, ease of use,application development, and deployment through MyAlaska.

Create training programs for knowledge workers, technicians, and web-based industries

Establish and fund the Alaska Center for e-learning and e-commerce (AkCee)

Create an incentive for organizations to provide digital literacy programs that facilitatebroadband adoption.


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ISER Report: Econ Dev Related Conclusions (direct quotes, pg 32)

IT Employment: Concerns among both residents and organizations servingvillages about needs for digital literacy training and technical support indicatethere will be a need for more technical support workers, particularly invillages.

Productivity: Commercial businesses and nonprofit organizations all statedthat broadband would be very beneficial in improving their productivity.

Funding and Jobs: Regional nonprofit organizations and Tribal councils saidthat broadband would help them to access funding and trainingopportunities

Seasonal Employment: Seafood processors and tourist lodges are major

employers of seasonal workers who would use broadband to stay in touchwith family and friends, and for entertainment.

Note: Pages 26-29 explore use by Businesses and Organizations

Note: Internet and cell phone use is widespread in remote communities withaccess


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Econ Dev in NTIA-funded Alaskan Broadband Projects Bridging the eSkills Gap Alaska, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

(Sustainable Broadband Adoption, BTOP Award, NTIA): http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbanks

Online with Libraries (OWL), Alaska Department of Education & EarlyDevelopment (Public Computing Center, BTOP Award, NTIA) http://library.alaska.gov/dev/owl.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376

http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-

development Connect Alaska (State Broadband Initiative Award, NTIA)

www.connectak.org

http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaska
http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://library.alaska.gov/dev/owl.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www.connectak.org/http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaskahttp://www.connectak.org/http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-developmenthttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376http://library.alaska.gov/dev/owl.htmlhttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbankshttp://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbanks


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Online with Libraries (OWL) Project

97 libraries across the state now have video conferencing 67 libraries now have increased bandwidth and new computers in

order to support video conferencing

Min broadband speeds defined at 1.5 Mbps symmetrical See a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kyFhZe2so#

Economic Development and Workforce Development

OWL has used their videoconferencing systems so that food

handlers can take their boards and become/retain certification.

Cant travel to get your certification? No job.

Take the certification over video conference = Job Opp + No Travel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kyFhZe2sohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kyFhZe2sohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kyFhZe2so


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Online with Libraries (OWL)


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Online with Libraries (OWL) Project

Based in public libraries, but accessible to

people who are not in public libraries

Contact Information:Sue Sherif

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Bridging the eSkills Gap AlaskaUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks

Part of BESGs interest was to explore digital activity growth that might be related toexpanding bandwidth opportunities in rural areas of Alaska. (pg 13)

BESG had a mobile video capture kits program, which trained BESG partners to easilycapture and upload educational material and events to a publicly available server. (pg12)

The BESG grant supported many of its member organizations in the creation anddelivery of training and educational programs that helped Alaskans develop importantworkplace skills

Contact Information: Dr. John Monahan, [email protected], 907.590.0376
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Bridging the eSkills Gap AlaskaUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks (contd)

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortiums (ANTHC) Telehealth CoordinatorCertificate (TCC): To meet the growing need for trained telehealth personnel, ANTHCpartnered with the University of Alaska to design and deliver the Telehealth Directors

Certificate. (18) AK State Hospital and Nursing Home Assoc (ASHNHA): Using the mediasite

equipment BESG provided ASHNHA was able to offer training seminars in topics relatedto health management. For example, in the spring of 2013 ASHNA offered a workshop onimproving collaboration between the financial and clinical staff at hospitals. (25)

LOCAL TECH SUPPORT

Alaska Vocational Technical Education CentersVillage Internet Agent Program:The program trained students to install and maintain computer and broadband networktechnologies in rural Alaska. Graduates work for broadband providers or support areprepared local or regional organizations that use broadband. Students receive acertificate stating that qualified for employment as Rural Internet Technicians


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Rural Internet Technician Locator: http://www.avtec.edu/RITLocator.htm
http://www.avtec.edu/RITLocator.htmhttp://www.avtec.edu/RITLocator.htm


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Bridging the eSkills Gap AlaskaUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks (contd)

The Power of Partnerships

Without BESGs partnership structure, neither the accomplishments of its

individual members, nor the accomplishment of BESG as an entity, would havebeen possible. A major benefit and strength of this partnership structure was thediversification of BESGs partners and the collaborations that transpired acrosscareer market sectors (education, health and medical, for-profit and not-for-profitbusinesses, and media networks).

Each of the partners had a select, focused group of end users that would not

typically be accessible by another agency. For example, schools did not normallywork with the same end users as the Native Corporations or Regional Hospitals. Thisgrant gave them the opportunity to do so. (34)


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Local Planning Works, Builds Partnerships

Nevada: In Genoa, NV the town hosts an annual arts and crafts fair called the, The Candy Dance. 40,000people visit for the event, providing a huge amount of the annual revenue for the town and local residents. Thecommunity faced a public safety and economic challenge because there were so many people that the alreadymoderate cell/mobile broadband coverage was overloaded. Officials couldnt reach appropriate personnel if

an emergency arose. Members of the community attended a local broadband meeting planning and began

discussing the lack of mobile coverage at the event. As a result, the community champion was able to thensecure a Cell on Wheels(COW) for the event. This allowed greater capacity for everyone who attended andthe vendors were able to accept payments using the Square or other credit-card enabled devices.

Utah: Big Water, (pop: a tourist town near Lake Powell,joined a regional planning team to advocate for thebetter broadband in the town. The area is difficult to reach because of the concentration of federal land inthe area. The UT project team spoke with the Utah Education Network and determined that a local school

would be receiving wireless access through an E-Rate funded connection. The project team then contactedthe provider that is connecting the school ,and as a result, the provider is now working with the communityand developing a plan to deploy a residential wireless offering.


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The Power of Local Planning

Lots of resources are available You dont have to reinvent the wheel Opportunity to informally or formally work with your neighbors to share information and strategize about ways

to increase access or adoption, or to use technology in new ways Local Solutions, Local Victories: The credit completely goes to these local leaders [on the broadband

teams] that actually gauged their local needs and found various sources of support to help themachieve their broadband goals. State Broadband Initiative leader

Examples: A full toolkit: http://bit.ly/Connecting_Communities_Guide(Southern Rural Development Center) A tourist town in the north woods of Wisconsin works together to increase broadband access:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9

Community fair Econ dev plan Local businesses create websites to market goods during off-season

University of Wisconsin- Ext community guide: http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdf

Rural Telecommunications Congress Wiki: http://innovativecommunities.pbworks.com
http://bit.ly/Connecting_Communities_Guidehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://innovativecommunities.pbworks.com/http://innovativecommunities.pbworks.com/http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9http://bit.ly/Connecting_Communities_Guidehttp://bit.ly/Connecting_Communities_Guide


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Local Broadband Planning (Framework Example)

http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdf
http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdfhttp://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdf


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Planning Teams can focus on WHATEVER

the LOCAL COMMUNITY wants to TACKLE

While these economic development stories fromBroadband Task Force Draft Plan did not originate from

local planning teams, they easily could have.


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In Chevak, a community of approximately 900 people located near the Western Alaskacoast, Native artisans are renowned for their work in basketry and doll making. Now effortsare underway to preserve traditional art skills though enabling the younger generationto use their technology skills to create websites that highlight the older generationsartwork and make them available to the world for purchase. The result: village e-commerce and an income stream for Native artisans.The creative process had Eldersbringing their artwork to the public school, where Internet designers used mobile phone/tablet

cameras and mobile apps to take pictures of the artwork. (pg 14)

In other parts of Alaska, representatives from the website Etsy, headquartered in NewYork, visited five Alaska communities to research the opportunities and challenges ofsetting up Etsy online shops. The Alaska Native Arts Foundation hosted three communityevents to introduce and inform artists about Etsy in Anchorage, Savoonga, and Nome wheremore than 20 artists attended. The Etsy team assisted nine Alaska Native artists in Savoonga,Nome, Anchorage, Wasilla, and Sutton to establish online shops. Etsysvideo on Inupiatartist Sylvester Ayek helped him realize 10,830 views and earn a profit on the sale of hiswork. To date, artists including Ayek have sold 16 pieces, proving that Etsy is an e-commerceoption for Alaska Native artists to market their work. (Pg 14)


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Or A Community Might Consider a Project like this , from

Connect Alaska & the Association of Alaska School Boards

Webraising in Metlakatla, AK

Leveraging the Entrepreneurial SpiritArtwork & Crafts

Adventure and Cultural Tourism

http://vimeo.com/69070326
https://as.ntia.doc.gov/owa/redir.aspx?C=344c087223ad4cde886dd96fbbbde975&URL=http://vimeo.com/69070326https://as.ntia.doc.gov/owa/redir.aspx?C=344c087223ad4cde886dd96fbbbde975&URL=http://vimeo.com/69070326


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And additional broadband-focused econ development examples

Kansas: The State of Kansas Department of Commerce used their broadband map and its data to promoteeconomic development by working with a customer service company to identify communities with the broadbandnecessary to support home-based workers. As a result, the customer service company hired about 200 workers inthe state, providing much-needed jobs in small towns that may have otherwise been overlooked for this work.

South Dakota: The State of South Dakotas Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) facilitated theplanning teams composed of state IT personnel to provide network assessments across South Dakota. The teamassessed community organizations including, schools and local government institutions, and helped them topinpoint specific opportunities for infrastructure improvements that would improve broadband speeds, usage, andadoption. In many cases, they fixed or provided support to equipment onsite.

Arkansas: Connect Arkansas is working with 17 counties in the state to help them start an engaging,transactional, and informational website to increase the efficiency of local governments and access to citizen

services. For example, Sharp County is home to a number of tourist attractions and festivals, as well as CherokeeVillage, a resort-retirement community with retirees from Arkansas and across the country. Since the launch of theproperty tax feature on its new e-government website on March 1, 2012, Sharp County has collected $360,000dollars in property taxes online. As a result of the website, County Collector Charlotte Ratliff estimates that herstaff has saved nearly a full week in time as well as postage and stationery fees.


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(Open) Data, the Sharing Economy and Economic Development

Alaska: GearSpoke, Anchorage, is a website offering a forum for people in Anchorage to rentoutdoor gear from neighbors on the cheap (peer-to-peer rentals). Listings include tents, outdoorgrills, kayaks, fishing equipment, and skis. Financial transactions are completely secure throughPayPal. (AK Broadband Task Force Report)

Alaska: Tenant Watch, Anchorage and Fairbanks, is a Consumer Reporting Agency that has beenproviding fraud prevention and risk reduction tools for property managers since 1994. Tenant Watchprovides a service to screen potential renters, helping landlords with only a few units to multi-propertymanagement companies. The growing service inspects credit reports, eviction history, and othercourt documents including sex offender lists. The resulting report has a typical turnaround time ofwithin 15 to 30 minutes of receiving a renters application. (AK Broadband Task Force Report)

Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Broadband Institute launched a website aimed at helpingveterans and their families access services, information, and opportunities available to them. Thesite, www.MassVetsAdvisor.org, allows veterans to review more than 360 benefits programs basedon their service branch and other criteria to list only the benefits and services that each veteran isqualified for, including an "action plan" to apply for the benefits.


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(Open) Data, the Sharing Economy and Economic Development


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Maker Spaces, Fab Labs and 3D Printers

ALASKA

With the help of the OWL project, teens inCraig, AK built a 3D printer from scratch.

Anchorage Public Library is getting a 3Dprinter and building an innovation lab

Fab lab in in Fairbanks

Tim Miller, Branch Manager of the Simla Library,

CO shares his experiences establishing a new

media lab in a small town with a population of

1,000. http://bit.ly/1lAm1Sp
http://bit.ly/1lAm1Sphttp://bit.ly/1lAm1Sphttp://bit.ly/1lAm1Sp

a. neville broadband

Documents