1. The Power of Partnerships
Rural Broadband Advocacy:
Gathering the Key Stakeholders
National Broadband Summit – Austin, Texas April 7, 2016
Ron Daley – KVEC/Hazard CTC

2. Oldest K-12 educational cooperative in Kentucky serving 19 school districts

3. Our Appalachian region serving 14 counties
Densely populated and mountainous (approximate geographical size of Connecticut)
High Poverty Rate
Lowest Quotient of Well Being in Nation
Declining coal industry-massive layoffs with potential for outmigration

4. The $30 million spanning four years is all about the 42,256 students served by 2,860 educators in 99 schools in 14 counties.
The “Appalachian Renaissance Initiative,” focuses on personalized/customized learning and empowering students with their voices and choices.

5. Partnerships and policies need to address rural educational challenges
Lack of civic infrastructure to show students community supportive
Creation and support for Rural Edu-conomy Innovation Action Labs (Zones) tying all stakeholders providing educational services
Encourage and enhance philanthropy in rural America for education
Market place is not getting broadband into rural areas
Prepare students for global work through World Languages

6. Rural challenges continued
90 % of counties with persistent poverty are rural - poor health follows poverty
Poverty- needs based scholarships, college access
Rural workers make $11,000 less than urban counterparts – tie education to high wages and available jobs
Dual Credit preparing students for global jobs and postsecondary education

8. Establish First U.S. “Rural Edu-conomy Innovation Zone”
Using Work Ready model to build community support for education
Inform community about K-20 education
Engage business and local leaders in education
Tie education to economic and community growth
Creating Global “Silicon Holler” Innovation Hub

9. Preparing Region for Global Economy Implementing vision of U. S. Rep
Preparing Region for Global Economy Implementing vision of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers

10. Strategies to advocate for expanded broadband
Using KY Work Ready Community program with organizations in each county to promote broadband and the New Economy
Creation of Silicon Holler and Millennial Think Tanks to develop strategies to build New Economy and attract and retain creative talent
Creation of community toolkit preparing communities for Broadband and New Economy
Use The Holler.org to build an on-line community promoting New Economy and Broadband

11. Strategies to promote broadband - continued
K-12 students are ambassadors for Broadband so they can continue their school work (students engaged in entrepreneurial work/competitions and innovative class projects, ie the Jenkins first graders tweeting project)
The development of the Appalachian Technology Institute (ATI). Over 400 K-12 students enrolled computer science
Showing need for broadband (largest roll out of Next Generation classroom technology in rural America, Action Research Summit, innovation grants for teachers, student voice, etc.)
Traditional and social media campaign to promote New Economy/need for expanded broadband

12. Questions or comments?

13. Tying Education to Community Development: The Appalachian Renaissance Initiative
“Rural Broadband Advocacy: Gathering the Key Stakeholders”
Ron Daley, Strategic Partner Lead
Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC)