The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) invites you to join us for a webinar introducing the National Broadband Navigator, an innovative, public spatial-analysis tool designed to help community leaders plan broadband projects in areas currently underserved by high-speed internet. Registration is required for the event, which will take place on Tuesday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The webinar will be presented by members of the Penn State Extension team that developed the tool with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation:
- Jim Ladlee, State Program Leader, Emerging and Advanced Technology
- Harry Crissy, Extension Educator, Economic Resource Development
- Tom Beresnyak, Extension Educator, Energy and Emerging Technologies
- Dana Ollendyke, Extension Program Assistant, Energy and Emerging Technologies
The BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Broadband Navigator can be used to quickly conceptualize potential broadband projects, focus areas, and deployment cost estimation. The model allows users to rapidly identify areas with broadband deficiencies in parallel with demographic factors like age, poverty, healthcare access, minority status, nearby fiber optic cable, farm data, and even legislative districts. The tools are designed to enhance data-driven local broadband deployment conversations anywhere in the U.S. at no cost and includes the ability to download critical data for your local project.
For example, using the Navigator’s high-quality spatial data, the Penn State Extension team has assisted with developing more than $½ billion in broadband deployment funding for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Specifically, in collaboration with the PA Broadband Development Authority, the team helped secure over $134.4 million in additional broadband deployment funding for over 32,000 unserved locations. Additionally, in partnership with the PA Public Utility Commission, the team played a crucial role in assisting the state in receiving $418 million for broadband deployment through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and Connect America Fund programs.
Join us on September 24th to learn more about this tool! Register at:
https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/re...52aPg2RVqKu1JmKhaeQw
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