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MPSC: Harbor, Inc. in Emmet County Becomes Tenth Michigan Community to Earn 'Connected' Broadband Status, Making High-Speed Internet a Priority(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LANSING, Mich., Aug. 22 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission issued the following news release: The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today commended Harbor, Inc. in Emmet County for becoming the tenth community in Michigan to be certified as a "connected" community that has developed a broadband and technology plan to expand broadband access, adoption and use. Harbor Inc. joins Charlevoix, Antrim, St. Clair, Roscommon, Livingston, Mecosta, Clare, Otsego and Ogemaw counties to earn this distinction in Michigan. "Michigan continues to lead the nation with more 'connected' communities than any other state," noted MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. "Harbor, Inc. is the latest community-based effort to focus on improving high-speed Internet opportunities. They are now poised to implement the projects they have identified as priorities." Harbor Inc.'s broadband action plan has identified six priority projects: facilitating a technology summit; developing free social media classes and Internet safety workshops for the community's local businesses and non-profits; completing a vertical assets inventory; creating local jobs via teleworking opportunities; evaluating local policies and ordinances; and developing public-private partnerships to deploy broadband service. "Harbor, Inc. joins an elite group of Michigan communities that have completed the broadband certification process," Quackenbush added. "These communities understand that their success includes access to reliable high-speech networks, digital literacy of residents and the use of online resources locally for business, agriculture, government, and leisure." Harbor, Inc. is comprised of governments and citizens in Harbor Springs, and the townships of Little Traverse, West Traverse, Pleasantview, Readmond, Friendship and Cross Village. Other Michigan communities are working with Connect Michigan toward the Connected SM certification, including the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission; the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission; and the counties of Alcona, Barry, Crawford, Delta, Gladwin, Marquette, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Oscoda, Washtenaw, and Wexford. Several others have formed teams or have indicated interest. Connect Michigan is a public-private partnership between the Michigan Public Service Commission and Connected Nation to work with local governments, businesses, and citizens in the goal of increasing broadband access, adoption and use. The MPSC has issued a consumer tips sheet on broadband availability in Michigan and other helpful information. The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/michiganLARA, "Like" us on Facebook or find us on YouTube www.youtube.com/michiganLARA. CC AutoTriage5rn-140823-30FurigayJane-4837203 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |