09/28/16
Rural Broadband Connects Cutting-Edge Observatory
On the edge of the Utah-Nevada border, off Route 50—known as “The Loneliest Road in America”—is Baker, Nevada, with a population of 84 and no significant cities in a 50- to 60-mile radius. This far-flung seclusion gives Baker the darkest skies in America, making it the perfect location for the Great Basin Observatory (GBO), a newly constructed astronomy research and outreach center in the Great Basin National Park.
09/23/16
Igniting Better Broadband in Rural Michigan
Though they may be 30, 40, 50, or even many more miles away from busy cities, rural areas seek the same advantages through technology as urban areas. While high population density attracts many broadband carriers to urban areas, many rural areas often struggle to get on the map. Alcona County, Michigan—with a population of about 11,000—is bringing their community and their technology assets together to expand education, healthcare, business, banking, entertainment, and more through broadband in the same ways many urban areas do.
08/17/16
Local Agriculture Growing Through Social Media
Eight years ago, Grow Benzie started with an abandoned plant nursery, an old greenhouse, and an empty retail building. The non-profit now boasts a community center, an incubator kitchen, community garden, flourishing greenhouse, sewing studio, business center, and a food truck. Grow Benzie helps agriculture and culinary businesses expand and get started, hosts classes to teach the public about nutrition and hobby farming, and makes fresh, local produce available to low-income families.
08/01/16
U.S. Heritage Route 23 on the Information Superhighway
Michigan's tourism industry amounts to more than $17.7 billion, a number that seriously impacts rural communities attracting summer vacationers. The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) has made travel to and through rural Michigan easier than ever, putting many breathtaking and remote locations online for everyone to see and explore.
07/20/16
Partners Bridging the Digital Divide
Lack of access to technology, training, or reliable Internet are all factors widening the digital divide, causing or exacerbating education or wealth disparity through location, income, or age. Where the digital divide has caused great needs for technology, training or broadband access, many community organizations and non-profits across the nation have risen to the challenge.
07/05/16
Pay or Lose Everything: the Rise of Ransomware
Recently, businesses, governments, and universities have been finding their information locked down under an ultimatum: pay up or lose your information forever. A familiar tactic in a new age, this is a virus aptly named ransomware, and it is on the rise nationwide.
06/29/16
Launching Rockets and Igniting Interest in STEAM
Mentors can make a permanent impact on a young person's life. Mentors can encourage children to challenge themselves, cultivate new interests, and solve problems in positive ways. The 4-H Tech Wizards program brings young people under the wing of caring adults while tackling fun, STEAM-related projects, giving kids someone they can talk to and work with as they develop critical thinking and creativity skills.
06/16/16
Turning Toxic Waste Into Technology Assets
An estimated 30 to 50 million tons of electronics are trashed every year globally. In America, this produces 70% of all toxic waste, caused by lead, cadmium, beryllium, and other dangerous metals. Electronics that become toxic waste could be used by schools, relief organizations, and non-profits in need all over the world.
06/07/16
Osceola County Dedicated to Getting Connected
Recognizing that their county was being left behind in regard to Internet access and digital literacy, officials in Osceola County, Michigan, knew they needed to spark a change. In September 2012, Osceola County began a long journey of ongoing development and cooperation to make a positive change to Internet access, adoption, and use. And, 31 months later, their hard work, planning, and dedication has paid off.
04/11/16
Broadband Planning for a Sustainable Community
At the recent American Planning Association 2016 National Conference, Connected Nation’s Eric Frederick had the opportunity to present the ConnectedSM Community Engagement Program as part of a discussion about broadband planning for building sustainable communities. The Connected program was presented alongside presentations from BroadbandUSA, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the city and county of San Francisco, California.
