Economic Development & Planning
WesternMA Connect, Inc.
The WesternMA Connect logo
Project Overview
WesternMA Connect, Inc. is a regional initiative with the mission to create a more competitive and robust telecommunications landscape in the four counties of the Western Massachusetts region to achieve broadband access equity. This organization was created through the merger of long-time partners Pioneer Valley Connect and Berkshire Connect, Inc. The Connect believes that access to broadband is essential to encourage economic development as well as to support enhanced access to education, health care, public safety, and government. The effort is led by a five-member Board of Directors that includes FRCOG Executive Director Linda Dunlavy.
Current Activities
As partners Pioneer Valley Connect and Berkshire Connect, Inc., received a multi-year John Adams Innovation Institute award in 2006 to work on addressing questions and challenges for connecting this region to broadband services. Through these resources and those of Berkshire Connect, Inc. and the FRCOG, tasks completed included: the first inventory of broadband access in the region, a real world test of a wireless network for local broadband distribution, the first comprehensive regional broadband survey, and the creation of a public-private co-investment model for deploying sub-regional infrastructure. Several important outcomes were achieved as the result of this work, including establishing the key elements that formed the foundation for the legislation that created the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) .
Future Plans
The Connect continues to work closely with federal, state and local partners to further the goal of broadband equity for all of the Commonwealth's residents and the mission of creating a competitive and robust telecommunications landscape in Western Massachusetts. The Connect is committed to working with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and will continue to monitor and support its efficient and effective implementation of infrastructure deployment for the benefit of Western Massachusetts. For more information, go to the WesternMA Connect's News & Links webpage.
Links
Learn more at the WesternMA Connect, Inc. website.
Page last updated on September 21, 2009 .