Connected Nation

Earlier today I had the pleasure of attending a briefing hosted by Connected Nation in which they released a new report, "The Economic Impact of Stimulating Broadband Nationally".

The briefing provided a good number of statistics about increases in jobs, healthcare savings and reduced CO2 emissions.  But so often we hear about these benefits, and well, I even regulary spout them in these pages, but really, it is the personal stories about real people that matters.  Well, today, I heard some of the real stories behind those statistics.  The first was about a single mom.  Through the digital literacy program that was established as a part of the ConnectKentucky, her children were able to learn how to use computers and the internet to enhance their education.  This was one of the successes of a community based initiative that initially began when the local food bank created a program to provide computers to its clients on site along with a computer literacy program.  An outgrowth of the food bank's efforts was enhanced considerably when  a local bank then began providing computers for those who had completed the program.

The other story that struck me was one in which local healthcare profressionals and a local coal mining company were connected via an an eCommunity goup in  eastern Kentucky.  In doing so they were able to develop a program for addressing some of the healthcare needs of the miners through an on-site tele-health initiative.  The net result for the business was better health for their workers and a significant reduction in employee's sick leave.  

I am sure there are many more stories like this.  And I find them just as compelling as the statistics that show the growth in broadband deployment, jobs and economic development.  All of the impressive statistics can be found in the report.