I think this will be a good conversation for communities who are interested in the Google network initiative – and others.

Minnesota Public Radio I American Public Media & the National Center for Media Engagement Hosts Free Google Broadband Initiative Educational Webinar
Wednesday, March 10, 2 p.m. ET I 1 p.m. CT

Please Attend For Education & Assistance with Community Applications for
Google’s Ultra-High-Speed Broadband Initiatives

WHERE: To register for the online event visit http://bit.ly/googleworkshop
WHEN: Wednesday, March 10
2 – 3:30 p.m. ET I 1 – 2:30 p.m. CT

On February 10 Google announced plans to build high-speed fiber-optic broadband networks in select communities across the U.S. later this year. The technology giant has invited communities to apply to be one of the first test locations for the project. In the test communities, Internet will run as fast as 1 gigabit per second. Currently most operate at less than 10 megabits per second. The deadline for applications is March 26, 2010.

Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media, in partnership with the National Center for Media Engagement, will host an online workshop to educate and assist the communities we serve with their applications. MPR | APM will bring in national broadband experts: Joanne Hovis, president of Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, Marnie Webb, co-CEO of TechSoup Global, Allison Ahcan, director of communications for rural Minnesota’s Blandin Foundation, and Joaquin Alvarado, SVP of Digital Innovation for APM, to speak about the importance of broadband, the Google application process and tips for submitting a successful proposal. The webinar will be hosted by John Moe, American Public Media radio host and technology reporter.

This free online workshop will take place on Wednesday, March 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET (1 to 2:30 p.m. CT). To register for the event visit: http://bit.ly/googleworkshop. Following the live online workshop, discussions, material and audio will be available as a resource on thefutureofnews.org.

To learn more about how to activate, engage and nominate your community please attend the March 10 online workshop. Register here. http://bit.ly/googleworkshop