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Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Hannah Trostle | No Comments | Updated on Sep 27, 2016

Trust In Government: Strongest Close To Home

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/trust-in-government-strongest-close-to-home/

We have recently covered state laws preempting local control, especially in North Carolina and Tennessee. State governments are supposed to be “laboratories of democracy” and municipalities are sub-parts of the state. Preemption is ostensibly to prevent problems, but instead these state laws limit local governments’ solutions for ensuring better connectivity. At the same time, people… Continue reading

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Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Hannah Trostle | No Comments | Updated on Sep 24, 2016

Connectivity’s Community Impact: Looking At The Numbers

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/connectivitys-community-impact-looking-at-the-numbers/

People rave about next-generation connectivity’s possibilities in rural economies, but what does that mean for locals? A recent survey quantified the actual impact of a reliable high-speed Internet connection in an underserved area. Central Minnesota telephone cooperative, Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), released the results of an impact survey on their newest fiber Internet service customers…. Continue reading

Cory Booker
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Sep 21, 2016

Local Internet Authority “A-Number One” Priority For Congress, Says Wheeler

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/local-internet-authority-a-number-one-priority-for-congress-says-wheeler/

“A-number one importance.” On September 15th, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee gathered to discuss FCC oversight and telecommunications issues. Among those issues, the Committee discussed municipal networks. Senator Cory Booker (D – NJ) asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to provide his thoughts on how important it is that Congress takes action. The matter… Continue reading

Minneapolis at Night
Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Sep 16, 2016

At the Two-Year Mark, a Few Lessons from the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership – Episode 40 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/at-the-two-year-mark-key-takeaways-from-the-clean-energy-partnership-episode-40-of-local-energy-rules-podcast/

Minneapolis garnered national attention when it formed a first-of-its-kind partnership with local utilities to advance sustainable, efficient energy policy. Now, as communities across the U.S. increasingly push for influence over their energy futures, the Midwestern city offers a blueprint for what works and a taste of the challenges that come with cooperation. John Farrell, who… Continue reading

north-carolina-legislature
Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Sep 16, 2016

Wilson, North Carolina Forced to Turn Off Service to Rural Pinetops

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/wilson-forced-to-turn-off-service-to-pinetops/

Last night, Wilson’s City Council voted to halt Greenlight Internet service to the community of Pinetops, North Carolina. City leaders, faced with the unfortunate reversal of the FCC’s preemption of harmful state anti-muni laws, felt the move was necessary to protect the utility. Service will stop at the end of October. No Other Solution Before… Continue reading

NSR Social Media - Baltimore Fall 2016
Featured Article, Event filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Linda Bilsens | No Comments | Updated on Aug 30, 2016

NSR Master Composter Course in Baltimore, Fall 2016!

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/nsr-master-composter-course-bmore-fall-2016/

The City of Baltimore is dedicated to developing sustainable local food systems by encouraging urban farming. Compost is an important ingredient for filtering and immobilizing pollutants from our soils. ILSR’s Composting for Community Initiative is proud to help support the City’s food growing goals by partnering with ECO City Farms, Civic Works’ Real Food Farms, and Urban Farm Plans to bring the Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Master Composter training course to the Baltimore community this fall! Continue reading

New Sandy Graphic
Featured Article, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by ILSR Admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 23, 2016

SandyNet Increases Speeds, Keeps Low Prices

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/sandynet-increases-speeds-keeps-low-prices/

This post was written by ILSR intern, Alex Dangel. On July 4th, Sandy, Oregon’s municipal fiber-optic network, SandyNet, permanently increased the speed of its entry-level Internet package from 100 Megabit per second (Mbps) to 300 Mbps at no additional cost to subscribers. The city announced the speed boost for its $39.95 per month tier in a… Continue reading

Edited Page
Featured Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Nick Stumo-Langer | No Comments | Updated on Aug 18, 2016

Changing the Language of Renewable Energy, the Electric Monopoly’s Newest Ploy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/changing-the-language-of-renewable-energy-the-electric-monopolys-newest-ploy/

What happens when utility companies lose ground as their customers cut consumption and seek innovative technologies like rooftop solar? New business ventures to capture customer interest? Other new technologies? Instead, investor-owned utilities (through the Edison Electric Institute trade organization) poured money into communications consultants, and the result of this “Lexicon Project” says volumes about their plans… Continue reading

North Carolina
Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by ILSR Admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 12, 2016

For Rural Pinetops, Being A Gigabit Community Means Business In North Carolina

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/for-rural-pinetops-being-a-gigabit-community-means-business-in-north-carolina/

Unless you live in a rural community, you probably assume becoming a Gigabit community is all about the miracles of speed. Speed is important, but so is Internet choice, reliable service, and respectful customer service. It’s also about being excited as you consider future economic opportunities for your rural town. Businesses Struggling With Old Services… Continue reading

Edible Flint Tour - Random Garden
Featured Article filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Linda Bilsens | No Comments | Updated on Aug 9, 2016

Composting Will Help Flint Recover From Its Water Crisis

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/composting-will-help-flint-recover-from-its-water-crisis/

Increasing composting in Flint will benefit residents in many ways: healthier soils for food production, pollution mitigation for contaminated soils, more opportunities for neighbors to work together, and greater community self-reliance. On July 27th, ILSR staffers, Linda Bilsens and Joshua Etim, visited with various food growing and access groups working in and around Flint to lay the groundwork for bringing ILSR’s Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Composter Training Program to the area. Continue reading