Locally Owned Broadband Enables Rural Innovation
Innovation today requires a high-speed Internet connection, and in rural areas, that often means a fiber optic network owned by a local government, a cooperative, or a local business. … Read More
Two Rural Electric Cooperatives Overcome Barriers to Clean, Local Energy — Episode 66 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
In our latest Local Energy Rules podcast, John Farrell joins leaders from Farmers Electric Cooperative in Iowa and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico, to discuss how rural areas can source their power locally and renewably. Rural electric co-op leaders Warren McKenna and Luis Reyes share from experience how local renewable energy provides win-wins for co-ops, member-owners, and their local economy.… Read More
Virginia’s Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority Recounts Progress Made in 2018
As they look back over their accomplishments, the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (RVBA) has more than the holidays to celebrate at the close of 2018. In addition to stimulating competition in the region, the RVBA network is attracting more investment and helping local nonprofits operate more efficiently.… Read More
How Phoenix Became an Unlikely Champion of Local Business (Episode 60)
We talk with Kimber Lanning, founder of Local First Arizona, about her organization’s pioneering work to strengthen Arizona’s entrepreneurs and its local economy. … Read More
Wisconsin Town Offers Affordable Gig Internet to All Subscribers
In September, Reedsburg Utility Commission (RUC) in Wisconsin announced that they’re simplifying life for subscribers. They’ve eliminated service tiers and now everyone who signs up for the service receives affordable, symmetrical gigabit Internet access from their recently rebranded LightSpeed service.… Read More
Dark Fiber Network in Indiana Popular with Local Businesses
A newly operational dark fiber network, built by the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, is already proving to be a hot commodity for area businesses and institutions. Since going live in May of this year, ValpoNet has received dozens of inquiries from companies and organizations looking to build upon its unlit backbone.… Read More
Utah Internet Service Highlighted in Promo Video
Spanish Fork, Utah, was recently highlighted in a promotional video touting the successes of its municipal Internet service. The video, produced by the trade group Internet Association, is all about economic development and growth — something this community of nearly 40,000 has seen since the municipality introduced the service back in 2001, and then subsequently upgraded to fiber.… Read More
Community Oyster Business Bolstered by High-Speed Internet Access
Dorchester County, Maryland, shored up better connectivity for local businesses this past June, utilizing a cooperative network to further fiber infrastructure and to light a business on an island chain in need of some fast Internet connectivity.… Read More
Working Partner Update: Energy Justice Network
Energy Justice Network (EJN) continues its grass roots campaign to stimulate recycling in Baltimore, a city that is suffering from a low household recycling rate of less than 20%.… Read More