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