Broadband Creates Connection to Rural Locales
Published Aug 25, 2008
Tennessee is plugged into technology initiatives and innovation.
The state is already at work on findings from a study that shows Tennessee will get a $2.4 billion economic boost if more residents gain access to the fast lane of the information superhighway and begin using broadband Internet technology.
“There is tremendous, measurable value to every person in Tennessee having broadband,” says Michael Ramage, executive director of Connected Tennessee, a not-for-profit public-private partnership that works with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. Connected Tennessee released the report with Connected Nation Inc., a national nonprofit that helps states expand broadband to mostly rural and underserved communities through mapping, research and program implementation.
Expanding the availability and adoption of broadband would create 49,000 jobs, generate more than $1.6 billion in direct income growth, shave roughly $13 million from Tennesseans’ health-care costs and save state residents more than $130 million in gasoline by enabling more of them to work remotely, shop online and engage in other activities on the Internet. The environment would also benefit. With Tennesseans driving less, average annual carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by more than 66 million pounds, the study says.
Expanding broadband availability and adoption is one of Tennessee’s initiatives to foster technology and the good jobs it creates.
Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, chair and co-chair, respectively, the Southern Technology Council, an advisory panel on policy issues for the Southern Growth Policies Board.
The council’s mission includes strengthening the South’s economy by fostering technology and innovation.
Tennessee’s Technology Development Centers, located in 27 communities across the state, are helping Tennessee achieve the goal of preparing the workforce for high-tech employment. The centers provide training that is accessible to all residents of Tennessee and retrain workers in existing jobs.
“Broadband information highways are becoming as important as four-lane highways. To keep the jobs we have today and to grow jobs tomorrow, our rural areas must have fast and full broadband access,” says State Sen. Roy Herron of West Tennessee.
“There is much at stake,” Ramage says of broadband access. “Like roads, railroads and electricity, it’s essential to economic development.”
Connected Tennessee is encouraging development of e-community leadership teams in every county to implement technology growth strategies. The goal is to encourage Internet service providers to introduce broadband to new areas and for Tennesseans to adopt it in their homes and businesses.
“It’s a chicken-and-egg thing. Which has to come first? We think they have to come at the same time,” says Ramage. “Obviously, most underserved areas are rural areas. But even in the cities, there are many residents and businesses that are underutilizing broadband and all its benefits. It’s every community.”
Story by Bill Lewis
Photo by Jeff Adkins
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