What’s billed as Iowa’s first Broadband Summit will be held in Des Moines next month. Amy Kuhlers, state program manager with Connect Iowa, is coordinating the free event.
“The summit is really the first time we’ve had an opportunity in the state to get people from all corners to come together on this very important topic,” Kuhlers says, “specifically, it’s themed around economic development and growth for our communities.” Kuhlers says one speaker will be addressing how far Iowa is advancing to boost broadband internet access, as well as areas where there’s still room for improvement.
“We’ll have one of our policy folks here to give us an overview of what the landscape is for broadband in Iowa and how the current federal policy is affecting some of the things that are going on here,” she says. There will be several panel discussions and Q-and-A sessions with broadband providers and with economic development officials.
“We have a program called ‘Connected’ that allows a community to do a broadband assessment, they look at what they’ve got in their back yards,” Kuhlers says. “As we’ve worked through that program in several communities, we’re going to have individuals from some of those communities share their findings with people who are at the summit and encourage them to participate in that free event.”
The all-day summit is planned for April 9th at the Iowa State Historical Society in Des Moines. The deadline to register is April 5th.
To register, call 515-421-2561 or visit www.connectiowa.org/broadband-summit
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City