Rural Ohio Technology Infrastructure Group

1. Rural OhioTechnology Infrastructure Group All Transportation Counts Conference October 8, 2003

2. MISSION To help communities develop strategies for improving and expanding telecommunications infrastructure so that high-speed Internet access and other advanced telecommunication services can be provided to government, business, education, health care, families, and individuals.

3. TIG MODELS • Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group (SCEIG) • An association of federal and state agencies, local governments and groups, service organizations, and educational institutions designed to help small communities in meeting their environmental infrastructure needs. • LinkMichigan • Part of a four-pronged effort initiated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to bring broadband networking and services to all areas of the State of Michigan. The MEDC is providing funding, accompanied by a local match of funds, to identify current infrastructure in the region, anticipated demand for services and user needs, options for meeting the need, and a plan to meet the need, including the anticipated funding sources.

4. How Does TIG Work? • Underlying Principle region’s capacity to understand broadband and its uses is critical to both planning and implementation. Self-selected, motivated communities will be given priority. • DAS Appalachian Broadband Manager • Planning • 3 regional seminars describing program to public—Broadband Cookbook to be presented as well as 2-3 best practices from throughout the state • Planning grant pool of funds • Implementation • Use plan to implement broadband services • Potential funding sources will have been identified in Plan

5. PLANNING PROGRAM GUIDELINES • Strong preference will given to multi county projects • Maximum grant amount of up to $50,000 or 80% of project, whichever of the two is the lowest • Minimum local match (local, private or foundation funds) is 20% of Total Project Cost • Plan must be completed within six months • Projects must have either an end result of job creation/retention or area-wide benefit to low and moderate-income people • Planning projects focused on local municipal ownership will be judged on a case-by-case basis

6. TIG PLANNING KEY ELEMENTS • Scope of grants MUST focus on identifying existing infrastructure, providers, demand and ways to link into other publicly funded infrastructure • One TIG member will be assigned to each region to offer guidance • Potential grantees will be provided with a partial list of consultants • NOI will be put on Internet for public to see in an effort to build cross regional collaboration.

7. Planning Application • Up to 5 projects will be selected for the Planning process from the NOI • These communities will be asked to submit a full application. • The application will verify information in the NOI, provide additional information and detail on project activities and tasks, provide documentation on project participants and funds; provide governing body resolutions and certifications. • Identify implementation steps of plan

8. What’s Next? • Secure ARC funding for planning grants by December • Regional Grant Workships, December-January • NOIS due by February 1. • 5 NOIS accepted by February 7. • TIG members to help 5 Proposals submit full applications. • Release approval for one every two weeks

9. What’s Next Continued • After plan is completed in 6 months, group comes before TIG • A TIG member will work closely with the community on implementation of their plan

10. So, What Do We DO with Regions That Are Ready to Implement? • Regional Cluster MUST identify project leader • Complete form similar to SCEIG (See Handout) • Schedule TIG meeting with regional cluster, providers, funders, technical experts, etc. • Coordinate with DAS Broadband Manager and additional TIG member regularly

11. Questions? Comments? GOA Technology Program Manager: Jennifer Simon/GOA (614) 644-9228 Additional information available at: www.accessappalachia.org