Is your community stuck in the Internet slow lane? What can you do?
- Design a community initiative to get people excited about creative ways to use the internet.
- Encourage youth to create local content.
- Educate businesses in how to compete globally.
- Use the internet to help your citizens take advantage of government services.
- Ask your local ISP, utility, or phone company to upgrade the connection to your area.
- Support municipal or county government efforts to bring broadband to your area if there are no other options available.
- Help your community explore funding options like the USDA's Rural Utilities Service community and provider grant and loan programs, local or regional foundation grants, and state and federal economic development funds. Specialized broadband services like telemedicine and K-12 education may offer additional funding sources.
- Encourage those who have broadband connections to share them. WiFi connections at local libraries, restaurants, and community centers can help folks get a taste of broadband possibilities.
What's new in communities using the internet? Community sites!
Contact an educator near you for more info.
