According to the Congressional Budget Office, which produces independent analyses of the federal budget and economic issues, the Recovery Act provided jobs for at least 200,000 people and possibly as many as 900,000 during the third quarter of 2012. Similarly, the gross domestic product increased between 0.1 and 0.7 percent during the same period and the national unemployment rate was lowered between 0.1 and 0.5 percent also as a result of the Recovery initiative, CBO added.
Library
TechNet: 2012 State Broadband Index
In this report, the TechNet State Broadband Index rates the states on indicators of broadband adoption, network quality, and economic structure as a way of taking stock of where states stand.
ITIF: 2012 State New Economy Index
More than three years on from the end of the Great Recession, only six states have regained employment levels enjoyed prior to the recession, and 17 states are still more than 5 percent below their pre-recession employment levels. As many state economies continue to struggle through the lingering effects of the Great Recession, a question commonly asked is, “What is this seemingly invisible force that prevents the economy from returning to pre-recession and especially 1990s growth rates?” In
other words, why is it that, despite massive monetary and fiscal stimulus, employment seems locked in persistent malaise?
State Developments 2012
National Broadband Plan relies on communities to drive innovation
Blair Levin is one of the premier communications strategists in the country who led in the creation of the National Broadband Plan and now serves as executive director of Gig.U. His remarks this summer during an exclusive interview remain of great value to the networking community in the Triangle, which is why it was chosen to represent the seventh day of this year’s 12 Days of Broadband.
A broadband solution to fiscal crises
By Reed Hundt and Blair Levin, Computerworld
After Congress and the White House close the gap between the Democratic and Republican approaches to the “fiscal cliff”, there is another gap that they need to bridge: the gap between how the worlds of technology and government approach the future.
Wilson’s Greenlight Leads North Carolina in Fast Internet
Following the collapse of key industries, a town of 50,000 in eastern North Carolina had to make a hard choice. It wanted to support existing businesses and attract new ones but the cable and telephone companies were not interested in upgrading their networks for cutting edge capacity.
So Wilson decided to build its own fiber optic network, now one of the fastest in the nation, earning praise from local businesses that have a new edge over competitors in the digital economy. In response, Time Warner Cable lowered its prices and modestly boosted available Internet speeds, contributing to the $1 million saved by the community each year.
From One Community to a Smart Region, Part 2
From Scott Rourke: “I want to talk a bit about the critical success factors that must be addressed. In our particular case, I believe the single most important thing has been our emphasis on people/talent.”
From One Community to a Smart Region, Part 1
From Scott Rourke: “We at OneCommunity have been at it for about nine years. Starting with a volunteer label and some in-kind donations, our non-profit broadband network and programs to promote adoption have grown to more than $100MM in assets, with millions of annual recurring revenue to ensure our long-term sustainability. We cover a service territory consisting of 5 million people with a GDP of 170 billion USD. Our unique open-network strategy, in which we share our digital super highway with phone and cable companies, is also beginning to provide resources to sustain our ambitious programs aimed at accelerating the use of IT to benefit society. In fact, if you visit Cleveland, Ohio, there’s a good chance you’ll use our free WiFi at the airport or that your iPad or iPhone will be powered by us (and our partners).”
ILSR: “Community Broadband Creates Jobs”
MuniNetworks.org documents examples of economic development resulting from community-owned networks.
This is for Everyone: The Case for Universal Digitisation
Written with the well-known cross-sector charity Go ON UK, this report presents the socioeconomic case for universal digitisation, particularly in the United Kingdom. Based on quantitative research, it highlights the socioeconomic case for improving the digital infrastructure and promoting usage. We realise the benefits of the internet – including the economic, social, and community benefits – only when everyone is online.
Strategic Networks Group: “e-NC Strategy Report”
e-NC and SNG announced the findings of a comprehensive study of residents and businesses in the state of North Carolina. In all, 30,000 households and 70,000 businesses and organizations were surveyed to uncover utilization of broadband and e-solutions statewide, with 1,492 households and 6,266 businesses and organizations responding. The e-Solutions Benchmarking and accompanying e-Strategy report from SNG was funded by a grant to the e-North Carolina Authority by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Smart Infrastructure in New England: An investment for growth & prosperity
In an era when everything is always moving — when people, products, services, information, and capital have to get from one place to another within a region or around the world — infrastructure is the enabler. In the 21st century, infrastructure is about connectivity. Bringing together the leading assets and capabilities, in the most efficient way, is the driving strategy that makes an infrastructure “smart” — that makes an infrastructure the accelerator of economic growth and prosperity.
ILSR: “Chanute’s Gig”
One Rural Kansas Community’s Tradition of Innovation Led to a Gigabit and Ubiquitous Wireless Coverage
Moving the Needle Forward on Broadband and Economic Development
August and September, in partnership with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Craig Settles conducted a national survey of IEDC members and others affiliated with IEDC. The primary goal was to get a snapshot of how broadband impacts local economic outcomes. A secondary goal was to gather some insights to leveraging broadband as an economic development asset.