I got an email last week with an interesting opportunity for someone. It seems as if they might have an organization in mind – but the RPF is open. It’s great to see more States placing a prominence on broadband. It’s especially nice to see that the President-Elect’s state has been thinking about it.
Here’s the scoop:
The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking to fund a nonprofit organization with a record of implementing successful broadband deployment and demand creation initiatives. Download the $4 million Request for Proposals (RFP) required by the 2007 High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act.
The proposal deadline is January 12, 2009 at 1:00PM. Here’s a summary of the opportunity:
3 GOALS of the RFP include:
*Ensuring residents and businesses have access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service *Improving technology literacy, increasing computer ownership and high-speed Internet use among residents and businesses *Establishing an environment for high-speed Internet access and technology investment
5 RESPONSIBILITIES of the nonprofit will include:
– Creating a geographic statewide inventory of broadband service and other relevant information technology services
– Tracking statewide residential and business adoption of high speed Internet, computers, related information technology and any barriers to adoption
– Building and facilitating a local technology planning team in each county
– Collaborating with technology companies to encourage broadband deployment and use
– Developing a program to increase computer ownership and broadband access for disenfranchised populations
