NATOA Announces Recipients of Community Broadband Awards for Outstanding Endeavors to Bring Broadband to More Communities and Consumers
Atlanta, GA – September 18, 2008 – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Board of Directors announced the recipients of NATOA’s 2008 Community Broadband Awards during the Opening General Session of its 28th Annual Conference today. These honors are awarded to exceptional leaders and innovative programs that champion community interests and broadband deployment in local communities nationwide.
“NATOA’s Community Broadband Awards proudly recognize the people, communities, and organizations that lead the nation in promoting community interests through broadband projects,” said NATOA Executive Director Libby Beaty.
The award recipients were chosen based on their extraordinary efforts, achievements, and innovation in community-based approaches to broadband. These individuals, organizations, and communities have distinguished themselves in the effort to ensure that more American communities and citizens benefit from new technology.
“Our honorees are leading the way toward America’s broadband future,” said NATOA’s President, Doris J. Boris. “They are involved in planning and deploying communications networks for government and public use, and in articulating the need for a national broadband strategy to ensure the economic competitiveness and well-being of our nation and of our communities in the 21st century. Our honorees have distinguished themselves by answering the need for a public role in broadband development in partnership with the private sector.”
The 2008 Community Broadband Award recipients are:
Community Broadband Hero of the Year
Mayor Joey Durel of Lafayette, Louisiana — for championing the need for robust, competitive communications services in his community; for championing the cause of local decision-making in communications; and for leading his community to counter efforts to thwart local communications initiatives.
Community Broadband Visionary of the Year
Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle — for recognizing the
importance of fiber optics to economic and community development, and for
taking steps to secure the benefits of fiber for his constituents.
Seattle has engaged in a multi-year process to determine how to best meet its
citizens’ and businesses’ needs for communications, and Mayor Nickels has
announced his intention to release an RFP for a private sector fiber partner
later this year.
Community Broadband Wireless Project of the Year
WirelessMinneapolis — City of Minneapolis, for development of a wireless infrastructure for public and government use, and for exhibiting the capability of local communities to encourage and facilitate wireless communications projects.
Community Broadband Fiber Project of the Year
Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA) — for persevering in development of an open, fiber-optic infrastructure for the residents and businesses of 16 member communities in Utah, and for demonstrating the capability of local communities to encourage and facilitate fiber communications projects.
Prince George’s County Institutional Fiber-Optic Network (I-Net)— for connecting the County, more than 20 municipalities, numerous schools, and first responders over fiber optics; for serving government and educational needs over the network; and for demonstrating how communications technology can enhance government services, save on government expenditures, and save energy.
Community Broadband Organization of the Year
AARP — for recognizing the importance of communications services and infrastructure to meet the healthcare, connectivity, and quality of life needs of its members and of all Americans.
For more information on the award recipients, the NATOA Community Broadband Awards, and NATOA’s efforts to bring about a national broadband strategy that recognizes the vital and integral role of local governments, visit www.natoa.org or contact NATOA’s Executive Director, Libby Beaty, at the number above.
NATOA promotes
community interests in communications. A
national trade association based in Alexandria, VA, NATOA represents local
government jurisdictions and consortiums, including elected and appointed
officials and staff, who oversee communications and cable television
franchising.