U.S. National Broadband Coalition

I don’t know a ton more about this so I’m going to post the statement pretty much asis (or as-was) in the Baller Herbst list last Friday.

On December 2, 2008, a large and diverse array of stakeholders in America’s broadband future will announce the formation of the U.S. National Broadband Coalition and release a Call to Action that provides President-elect Obama and the incoming Congress a framework for a comprehensive national broadband strategy.

The Coalition includes prominent communications providers, high technology companies, manufacturers, consumers, labor unions, public interest groups, educators, state and local governments, utilities, content creators, foundations, and other stakeholders in America’s broadband future. These organizations believe that such a strategy is critical to America’s economic vitality, educational opportunity, public safety, energy efficiency, environmental stability, global competitiveness, and a continuing high quality of life.

At the event, representatives of these organizations groups will voice support for the Call to Action, discuss their shared goals, and announce their intent continue to work together to address key issues and policy priorities.

Start: 12/02/2008 – 10:00am
End: 12/02/2008 – 11:30am

Senate Commerce Committee Hearing Room, 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

To sign up for the event, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/58lxhw

If you want to join the group or want more info, you should contact Jim Baller or Casey Lide at Baller Herbst.

Alltel Hiring 130 in Mankato

Well Mankato got some good news today. Alltell Wireless is hiring 130 more people to staff its tech-support center in Mankato. (Alltell bought Midwest Wireless two years ago and the call canter was part of the purchase.)

Alltel said that strong sales and the quality of Minnesota’s workforce spurred it to expand the call center. That’s nice – but I bet broadband didn’t hurt – although with Alltell I suppose either it’s an assumption.

Now we just have to get the word out to more businesses about our pockets of broadband and high quality staff.