1. Broadband as a Community Development Tool
Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D
Matt Weaver

2. Why Invest in Broadband?
Broadband telecommunications is a key community development strategy
Spurs job creation and retention
Essential for economic development- roads, water, sewer, BROADBAND
Vibrant, healthy communities

3. How Virginia uses CDBG for Broadband
Telecommunication Planning
Funded 19 grants totaling $595,000
Economic Development projects*
Local Innovation Projects*
Telemedicine
Distance Learning
*Funded 11projects totaling $4 million

4. CDBG Funding Levels
Up to $30,000 ($40,000 regional) per Telecommunication planning grant
Up to $700,000 per project through Community Economic Development Fund
Up to $200,000 per project through Local Innovation Fund
Eligible projects include Telecommunications

5. Planning – A Key to Success
Future oriented
Outcome oriented
Stakeholder driven
Technology neutral
Inclusive process
Public schools Police department and emergency services
Higher education institutions Service sector (banking, insurance)
Workforce development Professional (legal, engineering, accounting)
Health care Economic development professional
Small business/entrepreneurs Industry/manufacturing
Retail/commercial business Local telephone and internet service providers
Local government

6. Telecommunication Planning
Asset Inventory
Owned assets to facilitate implementation
Water towers, rights of way, public buildings
Identifying and aggregating demand
Needs analysis
Existing users and future opportunities
Entrepreneurship opportunities
ID existing providers

7. Telecommunication Planning
Education and Technical Assistance
Identifying existing tech educational programs
Website development, e-commerce
Develop partners
Design a strategy to fill any gaps
Marketing
To the community
As an economic development asset within and beyond the community

8. Telecommunication Planning
Operational and business plan
Open access network
Fiber and wireless components
Network administration
Rate structure
Ownership / operational models
Financing development (operational and installation)

9. Implementation Grants
Economic Development
Job creation and job retention
Local Innovation projects
Telemedicine
Distance Learning

10. Project Highlights Telecommunication Planning Local Innovation
Page County
Local Innovation
Nelson County
“Wired Road” (Carroll, Grayson and Galax)
Economic Development
Charles City County
Scott County
Surry County

11. Lessons Learned Maintain ownership of asset
Consider models to maximize community’s ability to drive the project
Leasing
Public-private partnerships
Community-owned open access network
Available to all service providers
Allows maximum competition (multiple providers for multiple services)
Based on service delivery instead of duplicative infrastructure

12. Lessons Learned Communication and inclusiveness Start with Planning
Only so many customers, especially “anchor” customers
Minimize “cherry-picking”
Create a plan that promotes collaboration and focuses on big picture
Start with Planning
Maximizes effectiveness
Defines needs and solutions
Emphasis on business planning
Makes your case to elected officials, the community, partners, and potential funders/investors
Determine best and most appropriate role
for the locality

13. Contact Information
Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D
Associate Director
Matt Weaver