Community Broadband Awards

What are the NATOA Community Broadband Awards?

In recognition of the broadening role of government in technology, NATOA proudly honors outstanding individuals and projects that seek to improve government and public options in broadband technology. This exceptional awards program was initiated to recognize and highlight some of the many extraordinary efforts going on at the local level to bring the benefits of technology to American communities. Throughout the United States, numerous exceptional leaders in government, business, organization and the community are serving as champions of local interests and needs in broadband and technology. NATOA’s Community Broadband Awards annually recognize these efforts and achievements. The Award recipients are highlighted on NATOA’s website and in the NATOA Journal.

What are the Award categories?

Awards are presented annually in the following SIX categories:

  • Community Broadband Hero of the Year - individual award
  • Community Broadband Visionary of the Year - individual award
  • Community Broadband Wireless Project of the Year
  • Community Broadband Fiber Project of the Year
  • Community Network of the Year
  • Community Broadband Organization of the Year

How do I nominate my community for a Community Broadband Award?

The nominee and/or nominator DOES NOT need to be a member of NATOA - these awards are designed to recognize the best of the best throughout the county. Nominations are due by Friday, August 14, 2009.  There is a $100 fee per nomination.  Nominations may be submitted online.  Click here to access the nomination form.  Winners will be announced at the 2009 Annual Conference taking place September 30 - October 2, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. If you have questions, please contact Joanne Hovis at (301) 933-1488 or jhovis@CTCnet.us. 

Who Were the Recipients in 2008?

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.

Community Network of the Year
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.

Click here for a list of 2007 Award Winners.