Community Broadband Media Roundup - January 21

Colorado

Loveland will officially bond about $97 million for broadband by Julia Rentsch, Reporter Herald 

"We're not building this for the people in this room," Fogle said. "We're not building this for people our age. We're building it for the next generation of Loveland citizens ... because while we WANT faster broadband, they are going to HAVE to have it.”

Georgia 

Internet service for rural Georgia could come from power companies by Mark Niesse, AJC

Rural Fulton County offers glimpse of Georgia’s digital divide by Tasnim Shamma, WABE

“Those who are going to wait for the federal government to get it right in 10 or 15 years will find that the population in their regions has dwindled so significantly that it may not be able to recover just from finally getting broadband,” Mitchell said.

Mississippi

Mississippi House advances bill to allow electric co-ops to build broadband networks by Steve Dubb, Nonprofit Quarterly

Will co-ops really provide high-speed Internet to rural Miss. if Legislature changes the law? by Luke Ramseth, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

North Carolina

Jacksonville to host broadband access meeting, Jacksonville Daily News

Oregon

Oregon communities continue slow-speed pursuit of high-speed Internet by Mike Rogoway, The Oregonian 

Washington

Inslee proposes broadband access for all, Washington Governor’s Office

General

Broadband expert says USDA shutdown is hurting rural Internet expansion by Ryan Johnston, StateScoop

“Having broadband in our communities is going to create an environment where our young people aren’t leaving the communities,” Patten said.

How bad is the digital divide? By Doug Dawson, POTs and PANs

Rural broadband deployment ideas: Panelists offer some new thinking by Joan Engebretson, Telecompetitor

Nonprofit releases guidebook to help cities become 'broadband ready' by Jason Plautz, Smart Cities Dive