Left In Lowell

I’m at the New England News Forum at Wannalancit Mills and we’re about to hear from Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont.

Currently, we are hearing about VillageSoup.com, an online community newspaper. It brings together professional paid journalists, reader-generated content, and businesses. They call it “community hosting.” They focus at the hyperlocal level.

Now, Governor Douglas is being introduced.
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Governor Douglas: we are a small state, can’t take advantage of economies of scales, but leveraging technology we can broaden access to learning, culture. Tourist economy (uses example of surgeons not being able to be reached at a ski resort), competing in a global economy. Working in VT to make “creative economy.” Broadband access in rural areas would allow people to work in small communities but link to the larger economy.

Want 90% broadband penetration in next year. Looking for universal access. How do we do this when not cost-effective? Regulatory action, with broadband companies. Broadbad Council: grants to communties, “Last Mile” grants. Have to establish public-private partnership. State has many “unprofitable” areas for private investment in infrastructure…proposing to establish Vermont Telcom Authority, issue bonds, which would leverage additional investments by telecomm companies. Authority would own structure, lease it back to private industry to deliver service.

This applies to New England region as a whole…population is aging. Maine oldest state in nation, VT #2. Shrinking of working age population and thus of workforce. One way to reverse this trend would be to be competative on broadband infrastructure.

Need to work together on regional basis. Pooling federal grant resources to ensure employers with workers crossing state borders stay viable. Even working with eastern Canadian provinces where we get much of our electricity.
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Don’t forget! At 3pm today, six candidates for the 5th district race will be answering questions, and the event is free and open to the public, here on the bottom floor of Wannalancit Mills, 650 Suffolk Street!