In this issue
Working together for our broadband future
While our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, we are also experiencing unprecedented opportunities. The stimulus package has set the stage for tremendous federal investment in information technologies to create jobs and advance health, education and government efforts. Fortunately, Northern Ohio has been working in these areas for years, and OneCommunity has stepped in to propel plans and pursue funding for cooperative, tech-related projects in the region. We established the Regional Technology Stimulus Office to develop and support competitive proposals that will vie for a piece of the $50 billion in federally competitive grants for technology to bring jobs, improved services, cost savings and a foundation for innovation to Northern Ohio. We have the know-how and the relationships necessary to successfully compete for large-scale federal grants, and we want to share our expertise as well as learn from others across the region to make our proposals strong. To ensure that our efforts will be as sustainable and effective as possible, we are bringing leaders, industries, organizations and governments from across Northern Ohio to the table. Already more than 100 leaders from more than two dozen counties have been engaged to explore common objectives and potential partnerships that will save money and facilitate collaboration.
Read on for more news and information on the Stimulus Office, including recognition of the generous community sponsors of this important initiative and a recap of our first regional meeting. To get involved in the exciting projects that are taking shape, send an email to stimulus@onecommunity.org. Working together, we can take advantage of this incredible opportunity to create a digital future for Northern Ohio.
Scot Rourke
President & CEO
Regional Technology Stimulus Office launch generates broadband buzz
OneCommunity kicked off its Regional Technology Stimulus Office in May with a successful event featuring insights from Sen. Sherrod Brown and discussion among community leaders. Sen. Brown acknowledged our significant disadvantage in the broadband space but also highlighted the opportunities presented by the stimulus and OneCommunity's experience and leadership in the community. More than 50 representatives from hospitals, universities, government offices and other community organizations came together to brainstorm broadband projects that could utilize our regional strengths and best align with stimulus funding opportunities. Attendees identified common priorities as collaboration and sharing resources.
Sen. Sherrod Brown addresses attendees at the Stimulus Workshop on May 26.
Broadband innovation starts here in Ohio
Recently we were invited to the White House to meet with Susan Crawford, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Development. As the Federal Communications Commission develops a broadband strategic plan, the White House is looking for examples of how the public and private sector can partner to attract more private sector investment into the national broadband infrastructure. We shared the successes collaboration has brought to Northern Ohio and the public/private partnerships that have built our community’s broadband infrastructure.
The buzz around D.C. is all about stimulus and especially broadband for the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the White House. Everyone is waiting for the rules to be posted at the end of June and a national broadband policy to come from the FCC at the end of the year. Meanwhile, knowing that stimulus alone cannot ensure a national broadband policy will take shape, the administration is focused on creating policy that seeds the public interest and incentivizes private investment to build out our national broadband infrastructure. What is clear is that there are no quick solutions, and the policies of the past must be rewritten to affect change and create a broadband landscape that competes on the global stage, spurring economic development and delivering better, more cost-effective broadband access for every citizen. So as we wait for word on federal broadband plans and funding, we must develop our own community broadband strategies that lay a foundation for our own broadband future. The White House, NTIA, RUS and the FCC are all looking for solutions that break the mold and demonstrate sustainability. Let's start in our own back yard and make Ohio a leader in implementing broadband strategies that can be replicated across America.
Mark Ansboury
Chief Technology Officer
Construction set to begin on rural health network
Just last week, OneCommunity selected the vendors that we will be working in collaboration with to build a health care network for Northern Ohio, which we call HealthNet. HealthNet is a collaborative platform for the expansion of secure broadband fiber and wireless services to our region’s health communities. HealthNet will promote health information exchange (HIE) and telemedicine services among our rural and urban communities. This innovative program has been accelerated by a grant from the Federal Communications Commission providing $11.3 million of the $13 million anticipated total cost for the project. Our project is only the second in the U.S. given the green light to proceed as part of this program - a fact that bodes well for our chances when it comes time to go after stimulus funding to expand it. Construction is expected to begin this summer and will create hundreds of jobs as we establish an economic asset that will serve our region for years to come.
More details will be made available as the project develops further. For more information, send an email to healthnet@onecommunity.org.
Phase One of Connect Akron wireless network now live
Free wireless Internet access is now available in a half-mile stretch of South Main Street, the first phase of the Connect Akron project. Amid much excitement, OneCommunity announced the opening of the network at a demonstration event on Friday, June 19, at Lock 3. Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth (pictured at far right with OneCommunity CTO Mark Ansboury) was on hand to help show off the network's speed and accessibility. Phase Two will roll out through the summer with the entire 10-square-mile network going live by October. Visit www.connectakron.org for updated information on the network rollout.
Scot Rourke, Mark Ansboury win Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award
OneCommunity CEO Scot Rourke and Senior VP & CTO Mark Ansboury were honored with the Supporter of Entrepreneurship award at the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards on June 10. The pair was recognized for utilizing their entrepreneurial backgrounds and passion for technology to develop the OneCommunity network into a regional platform for innovation. Eight other Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs received awards from among 31 finalists. The winners go on to represent the region at the national Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in November in Palm Springs. Read more about this prestigious honor.
Regional Technology Stimulus Office attracts funds from Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve, others ; support still needed
Northern Ohio institutions have acted quickly to support our Regional Technology Stimulus Office, but we still need your help. To date, we have raised more than 70% of our goal and have been provided a consultant and intern on loan. This support is critical as we strive to help entities collaborate to win competitive federal grants ─ under stringent time constraints ─ through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
OneCommunity, and the entire region, owe thanks to the following sponsors:
• The Cleveland Foundation;
• Cleveland Clinic;
• Arminius Foundation;
• Case Western Reserve University;
• Generation Foundation;
• PNC;
• The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust;
• The Raymond John Wean Foundation; and
• Thompson Hine. We are continuing to seek much-needed capacity for our outreach, planning, government relations, marketing, and grant writing activities related to the Stimulus Office. Please contact me if you are interested in joining our distinguished sponsors by donating funds or services. Let's go get stimulus dollars for Northern Ohio!
Andrea Castrovillari
Director of Development |
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