Illinois Extension’s Local Government Education program has, for over a year, partnered with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Illinois Office of Broadband, and the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, in outreach aimed to extend critical high-speed internet access across the state. These partners are happy to announce its second annual Developing Broadband Leadership Webinar Series, which will be comprised of four 90-minute sessions to be held June 15 and 29, and July 13 and 27, from 11:30AM – 1PM Central Time. The remaining webinars in this series agenda is as follows:
July 13 – Part 3: Broadband Funding and Broadband Partnerships will offer detailed information on federal, state and local finance tools. This discussion will include partnership examples ranging from market development, grants and loans, ownership and operational models.
July 27 – Part 4: Moving a Broadband Project Forward will give a detailed overview of the steps necessary to implement a broadband project. Guest communities and providers will share how successful projects begin, form and launch.
August 3 – Part 5: Broadband Adoption and Affordability: Ensuring Broadband for Everyone – As more activity goes online – education, health care, government services, work and entertainment – meaningful broadband access and skills become even more critical for those now least connected. Learn about strategies on how to make broadband more affordable, how to equip everyone to make effective use of online tools, and policies and programs that can make a difference.
Moderators from the Illinois Office of Broadband, Illinois Extension, and the Benton Institute of Broadband and Society will steer the presentations and discussions and facilitate audience questions during and toward the end of each 90-minute session.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Nancy Esarey Ouedraogo, Community and Economic Development Extension Specialist, at esarey@illinois.edu.
To register click on the link below.