Gov., Lt. Gov encourages public-private partnership for broadband

December 15, 2016

The Branstad/Reynolds administration has announced a Blue Ribbon Initiative, a public private effort to raise $2 million to expand community broadband planning throughout the state of Iowa. “I want to connect every acre of Iowa with robust, high-speed Internet service in all forms, because it will help our communities preserve what is best about our past and create new opportunities for our bright future,” Gov. Terry Branstad said. “The communities that will thrive in this new economy are those that take every opportunity to organize and continually plan to improve their technological capabilities.”

According to recent FCC and U.S. Census data, access to advanced, fixed broadband service is available to about one-third of Iowa’s geography. The state broadband adoption rate of just 75 percent. According to the press release, the initiative will engage Iowa communities with the tools needed to enhance their technology standing in today’s digital economy in partnership with Connect Iowa, and through the Connected℠ Community Engagement Program (Connected℠).