Obama Administration to Help Five Small Communities Revitalize Downtowns through Broadband Service

The US Department of Agriculture and the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of communities in five states that will participate in the Cool & Connected planning assistance program, an innovative initiative to help people use broadband service for downtown revitalization and economic development. "Broadband has helped rural communities across the country gain access to improved health care, open the door to educational services and expand business and social opportunities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The new Cool & Connected program will help these small-towns use broadband to provide new opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas." Partner communities will receive direct technical assistance from a team of experts to develop strategies and an action plan for using planned or existing broadband service to create connected, economically vibrant main streets and small-town neighborhoods. By combining broadband service with other local assets, such as cultural and recreational amenities, this assistance can help communities attract and retain investment and people, revitalize downtowns, diversify local economies, and improve walkability.

Cool & Connected Pilot Phase Partner Communities:

• Georgetown (DE) will explore strategies to leverage new broadband infrastructure serving county facilities to provide public Internet access, and to attract and retain businesses downtown.
• Leon (IA) will develop a strategy for implementing a free Wi-Fi zone in its downtown square to draw more economic activity and provide low-income residents with Internet access.
• Montrose (CO) will combine its new broadband service with other downtown assets, (including a farmers' market) to promote local food access, accelerate main street development, and attract visitors.
• Toledo (WA) will utilize their new broadband network to support business and tourism downtown that will build on Vision: Toledo - a grassroots coalition of people committed to community revitalization.
• Tullahoma (TN) will receive technical assistance to market downtown Tullahoma as a free Wi-Fi zone and develop a physical work-share space to complement new infrastructure investments, and add to the growth of downtown businesses.