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New program aims to improve quality of life through Internet usage

Illinois Broadband Innovation Fund will award up to $500,000 for Internet adoption programs

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[August 23, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Job creation, educational opportunities for low-income citizens and improved public safety are among the goals of an innovative high-speed Internet adoption program announced by Broadband Illinois.

The Illinois Broadband Innovation Fund will award up to $500,000 to private, public and nonprofit organizations that submit creative plans to increase computer usage and Internet adoption across the state. While high-speed Internet services of some sort are available to 99 percent of Illinoisans, only 63 percent have incorporated broadband technology into their lives. These citizens are being left behind and are missing out on job opportunities, education, health care benefits and government services.

The Broadband Innovation Fund aims to close this gap, ensuring that citizens have the high-speed resources and training needed to succeed in the 21st century. Earlier this year, Gov. Pat Quinn's Illinois Gigabit Challenge promoted broadband deployment and infrastructure as a tool for economic development, and more than 40 applications were received. Now, the Broadband Innovation Fund aims to stimulate proposals for broadband adoption and usage initiatives.

"The Broadband Innovation Fund targets broadband adoption solutions for every sector," said Drew Clark, executive director of Broadband Illinois. "High-speed Internet unleashes the savvy of our entrepreneurs, the brainpower of our academics and the creativity of our innovators. We're excited to work with organizations that will develop innovative programs promoting ‘Better Broadband and Better Lives.'"

Grants are open to any private, public or nonprofit organization, and applicants may request $10,000 to $100,000 for Internet adoption projects that will stimulate job creation, education, agriculture, health care, public safety, energy conservation or e-government. Higher-capacity broadband creates opportunity, and the following are just a few examples of projects the Broadband Innovation Fund may entertain (more models are detailed in the request for proposals):

  • Efforts to connect health care professionals with their patients in a particular Illinois region.

  • Programs designed to spur greater use of telework or telecommuting, saving on fuel costs.

  • Smart grid applications designed to improve reliability and promote energy saving.

  • Training high school students to think entrepreneurially and use technology for growth.

  • "AgEd," or the ability to connect university agriculture knowledge to local farmer needs.

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Applicants are encouraged to submit creative proposals that demonstrate support from private and public organizations in the community served and should show how the project best stimulates use of broadband networks.

The deadline to apply to the Broadband Innovation Fund is 5 p.m. Sept. 11.

In an effort to promote the new program statewide, Broadband Illinois has embarked on the "Illinois Broadband Innovation Tour," a cycle of webinars, stakeholder meetings and question-and-answer sessions.

The tour began with a kickoff webinar Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Library in Springfield and a noon webinar Aug. 17 at the library with a question-and-answer session afterward.

The remaining stops scheduled on the Broadband Innovation Fund Tour are listed below. For full event descriptions, logistics and registration information, visit http://www.broadbandillinois.org/innovation.

  • Aug. 23 in Mattoon

  • Aug. 24 in Carbondale

  • Aug. 27 in Moline

  • Aug. 28 in Godfrey

  • Aug. 29 in Peoria

  • Aug. 30 in Macomb

To download a PDF copy of the Broadband Innovation Fund's request for proposals and application, click here.

To keep up with program news and announcements, visit http://www.broadbandillinois.org/innovation.

[Text from file received from Broadband Illinois]

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