<div dir="ltr"><div><div style="font-size:12.8px"><i style="font-size:13px">Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the </i><i style="font-size:13px">Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Instructions for unsubscribing appear at bottom.  Send feedback.  Forward Widely.</i></div></div><div style="font-size:12.8px"><i style="font-size:13px"><br></i></div><div><i style="font-size:13px"><br></i></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/colorado-bill-aims-hinder-opt-out-restrict-local-authority-even-more" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Colorado Bill Aims To Hinder Opt-Out, Restrict Local Authority Even More</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Fri, March 11, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/colorado-bill-aims-hinder-opt-out-restrict-local-authority-even-more" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-colorado.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">When local elected officials in Colorado put the issue before constituents last fall,<a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">voters in almost 50 communities</a> chose overwhelmingly to reclaim local telecommunications authority. Colorado's state law that strips away local authority, SB 152, permits opt-out through referendum. Referendums are expensive for local communities, but at least they are a way to reclaim the power to decide their own future. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">That ability to opt out will get more expensive and more burdensome if a new bill becomes law. Even though the state removed local authority with SB 152, this bill demonstrates that the legislature can still find a way to strip away more local control when big corporate providers feel threatened.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/colorado-bill-aims-hinder-opt-out-restrict-local-authority-even-more">... Get the Scoop on this Disappointed Effort to Restrict Local Choice ...</a></p></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/pulaski-tennessee-community-investing-itself-better-connectivity" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Pulaski, Tennessee: "A Community Investing In Itself" With Better Connectivity</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Thu, March 10, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/pulaski-tennessee-community-investing-itself-better-connectivity" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-pes-energize.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="42" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Pulaski, located in the area Tennesseans describe as the southern middle region of the state, has a fiber network other communities covet. When we contacted Wes Kelley, one of the people instrumental in establishing the network, he told us that the community always wanted to be more than "just Mayberry." Rather than settle for the sleepy, quaint, character of the fictional TV town, local leaders in Pulaski chose to invest in fiber infrastructure for businesses and residents.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>A Legacy That Lives On</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The county seat of Giles County, Pulaski has a long history of municipal utility service. The electric system was founded in 1891, and is the oldest in the state. The city also provides municipal water, sewer, and natural gas service. The electric utility, Pulaski Electric System (PES), <a href="http://www.energize.net/files/EnergizeServiceArea.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">serves most of Giles County</a>, which amounts to approximately 15,000 customers. PES receives power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and then distributes it throughout the county.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/pulaski-tennessee-community-investing-itself-better-connectivity">... Read our Full In-Depth Coverage of Pulaski Here ...</a></p></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/nevada-electric-coop-gets-fiber-creates-jobs" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Nevada Electric Coop Gets Fiber, Creates Jobs</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, March 07, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">hannah</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/nevada-electric-coop-gets-fiber-creates-jobs" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-valley-electric-nevada.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="40" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">A growing number of electric coops are providing Internet access to residents and businesses in areas of the country where big providers don't offer services. It’s not a big leap because many electric coops already use fiber for communication between electric substations. Expanding in order to offer high quality Internet access is a logical next step.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">In Nevada, the <a href="http://www.nevadabusiness.com/2016/02/vea-continues-growth-catalyst/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Valley Electric Association (VEA) is bringing Fiber-to-the-Home</a> (<a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="Fiber-to-the-home.  As most telecommunications networks use fiber in some part of it, FTTH is used to specify those that use fiber to connect the subscriber.  Some claim they have a fiber-optic network because they use fiber to the node even when they use phone lines or a cable network over the last mile.  FTTH may be more expensive to install currently, but offers significant savings in terms of maintenance when compared to copper alternatives.">FTTH</cite></a>) to members in 2016 and helping create new jobs in Pahrump and Fish Lake Valley. The coop's subsidiary Valley Communications Association (VCA), will operate the network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Details on speeds and rates are yet to be determined, but the coop plans to offer Internet access up to 1 gigabit.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/nevada-electric-coop-gets-fiber-creates-jobs">... More Details on Another Rural Coop Investing in Fiber ...</a><br><br></p></div></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fccs-pro-competition-agenda-community-broadband-bits-podcast-192" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">The FCC's Pro-Competition Agenda - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 192</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, March 08, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">christopher</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fccs-pro-competition-agenda-community-broadband-bits-podcast-192" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-community-bb-bits_0.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">This week we welcome Gigi Sohn, Counselor to Chairman Wheeler of the Federal Communications Commission, to Community Broadband Bits for episode 192. Before joining the FCC, Gigi was a founder of <a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Public Knowledge</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Gigi discusses the pro-competition agenda that Chairman Wheeler has advanced, including the efforts to ensure communities can decide locally whether to build a municipal network or partner. We also discuss other elements of FCC action to encourage competition in the Internet access market, even how television set-top boxes fit in.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Echoing some of the comments I regularly hear from some thoughtful listeners, I asked if competition was the best approach given the argument that telecom, and particularly fiber, has the characteristics of a natural monopoly.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fccs-pro-competition-agenda-community-broadband-bits-podcast-192">... Listen to the Show Here ...</a></p></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/update-santa-cruz-banana-slug-city-say-goodbye-sluggish-internet" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Update on Santa Cruz: Banana Slug City, Say Goodbye to Sluggish Internet</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, March 08, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">hannah</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/update-santa-cruz-banana-slug-city-say-goodbye-sluggish-internet" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-santa-cruz-ca.jpg" alt="" title="" width="122" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Back in June 2015, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/santa-cruz-fiber-project-cruzio" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Santa Cruz announced a municipal fiber project</a> with <a href="http://cruzio.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Cruzio</a>, a local company that offers Internet access, colocation services, and a range of other data solutions. After finalizing details of the partnership, the city is officially moving forward with the plan. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">This past December, the Santa Cruz City Council voted unanimously to begin the<a href="http://www.kionrightnow.com/news/local-news/full-speed-ahead-for-high-speed-internet-in-santa-cruz/36885772" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">$45 million fiber network</a>. Cruzio intends to complete the project in the next 3 years, bringing next-generation, high-speed Internet access to the home of the<a href="http://www.ucsc.edu/about/mascot.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">UCSC banana slugs</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/update-santa-cruz-banana-slug-city-say-goodbye-sluggish-internet">... More Information About this Public-Private Partnership ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/tn-and-nc-vs-fcc-oral-arguments-scheduled-thursday-march-17th" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">TN and NC vs. FCC: Oral Arguments Scheduled for Thursday, March 17th</a></h2><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-weight:normal;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, March 14, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/tn-and-nc-vs-fcc-oral-arguments-scheduled-thursday-march-17th" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-fcc-2012.PNG" alt="" title="" width="111" height="102" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">This Thursday, March 17th, attorneys for the FCC and the states of Tennessee and North Carolina <a href="http://www.hlregulation.com/2016/02/05/sixth-circuit-to-hear-oral-argument-in-challenge-to-municipal-broadband-rules/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">will present arguments</a> to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on a case that could define parameters for publicly owned Internet networks. The proceedings begin at 9 a.m. eastern. Each side has 15 minutes to present.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">As <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/cable-companies-lose-big-fcc-barriers-community-broadband-struck-down" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">we reported a year ago</a>, the FCC ruled that state barriers in Tennessee and North Carolina limiting expansion of publicly own networks are too restrictive and threaten the U.S. goal of expanding ubiquitous access. The FCC overruled the harmful state laws but soon after, both states filed appeals.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/tn-and-nc-vs-fcc-oral-arguments-scheduled-thursday-march-17th">... Our Post on Thursday's Arguments ...</a><br><br></p></div></h2><div class="" style="line-height:18.004px"></div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/2016-iamu-broadband-conference-explore-muni-possibilities-march-30-31" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">2016 IAMU Broadband Conference: Explore Muni Possibilities, March 30 - 31</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Sat, March 12, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/2016-iamu-broadband-conference-explore-muni-possibilities-march-30-31" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-iamu.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="54" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The <a href="http://members.iamu.org/?" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities</a> (IAMU) is presenting the 5th Annual Broadband Conference on March 30 & 31 in Des Moines. This year, the organization is adding the Municipal Broadband Explorers Track to provide information for communities seeking more information as they consider the publicly owned option.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Our own Chris Mitchell will lead the Expedition and will be accompanied by a number of community leaders who know a thing or two about municipal broadband. Some of the presenters will be:</p><ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding-left:2em"><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Jim Baller, Baller, Herbst, Stokes & Lide</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Vincent Turner, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/tags-216" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Longmont, CO</a></li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Paul Scott, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/decorah-fiber-network-wins-civic-award" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Decorah</a> Fast Fiber, IA</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Mark Erickson, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/rs-fiber-cooperative-breaks-ground" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Sibley County, MN</a></li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Mike Litterer, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/waverly-next-gigabit-community-iowa" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Waverly Utilities, IA</a></li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Eric Lampland, <a href="http://muninetworks.org/tags/tags/eric-lampland" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Lookout Point Communications</a></li></ul><p style="margin:1em 0px">The Municipal Broadband Explorers Track offers specialized conversations that community leaders seek as they consider whether or not a muni is right for their town, city, or county. You can view the<a href="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/IAMU_2016_Muni_BBD_Track_Agenda.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">full agenda here</a> to plan your visit.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">... You can also <a href="http://members.iamu.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=713345&group=" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">register for the conference</a> at the IAMU website ...<br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-14-0" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Community Broadband Media Roundup - March 14</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, March 14, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/nick" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Nick</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-14-0" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/media-roundup-community-bb_10.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Alabama</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="https://backchannel.com/you-didn-t-notice-it-but-google-fiber-just-began-the-golden-age-of-high-speed-internet-access-67b3f775fb85?mc_cid=706358a3e0&mc_eid=2910c7b52b#.n0v8xn43l" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">You didn't notice it, but Google Fiber just began in the Golden Age of high-speed Internet access</a> by Susan Crawford, Back Channel</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Indiana</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Game-of-Gigs-Organization-Aims-to-Expand-Bloomington-Ind-Broadband.html?mc_cid=706358a3e0&mc_eid=2910c7b52b" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">'Game of Gigs' organization aims to expand Bloomington, Ind., broadband</a> by Megan Banta, GovTech</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">For Bloomington, Ind., citywide broadband should be less a question of if and more a question of how, local and national experts said Tuesday.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">“Today is a beginning, not an ending,” Mayor John Hamilton said at the end of a four-hour symposium focusing on the benefits of high-speed network connectivity for economic development and quality of life in Bloomington. “My head is buzzing ... in a good way.” Hamilton repeatedly has pushed for the creation of a citywide, community-controlled broadband network since his campaign.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-14-0"> ... Read the Full Community Broadband Media Roundup here ...</a></p></div></div></div></div>
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