U.S. Economic Stimulus Plan:
Unprecedented Opportunities for Broadband
The recovery package passed in February includes more than $7 billion to expand broadband across the U.S. as well as billions for other technology-related projects. The Knight Center of Digital Excellence has been tracking the stimulus plan and gathering the latest information on funding and project prospects for communities.
NEW! Visit the Knight Center of Digital Excellence Stimulus Center for reports, stimulus website links, presentations, meeting information and more regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Our Community Connection blog page has some of our recent analysis of the stimulus package and its opportunities for broadband expansion, including:
Shovel-ready projects and job creation
Tips on applying for stimulus funding
Resources for tracking stimulus spending
Also be sure to sign up for BROADBAND NEWS, our RSS feed that delivers the latest updates
Accelerating Community Transformation Through Broadband
In today’s economy, the key to healthy, successful communities is the availability and utilization of broadband, or high-speed Internet access. From educational curriculum to workforce development programs, taking college classes to becoming more productive "on-the-go," to improving the quality of health care and the safety of city streets, Internet access can and does advance economic development in many communities. Too often, however, the high-impact potential of broadband goes unrealized leaving meaningful transformation out of reach.
That’s where the Knight Center of Digital Excellence comes in. Formed through a partnership between the Knight Foundation and OneCommunity, we are the first national, nonprofit initiative dedicated to driving economic development and civic opportunity by helping bring broadband and the programs it enables to Knight communities. Through individualized consulting support and a robust Resource Center, the Center promotes connected community strategies that will serve as economic and social assets for years to come.
Connecting Philadelphia
Watch a recap or download presentation material from the Digital Philadelphiaconference held June 23rd at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Detroit Connected Community Workshop
Click here to see highlights from the Detroit Connected Communities Workshop.
Knight Center Shares Broadband Benefits with U.S. Mayors
On Jan. 18, Knight Foundation President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen and the Knight Center of Digital Excellence spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors about the importanc
e of connecting communities and the key role broadband implementation will play in President Obama’s recovery plan. Watch the video.
Other video highlights from the day include:
Panel discussion of mayors on broadband's impact in their communities; and
Call to action from Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
Also check out materials from the program:
Handout (PDF)
PowerPoint (PDF)
Broadband in the Community
Health Care
Leading health care providers are using connectivity to create shared services that reduce operating costs. At the same time, patients in connected communities receive a broader spectrum of services. Remote diagnostics, wellness, basic administration and scheduling, and electronic patient records are just some areas of medicine enhanced and supported by connected community strategies. MORE