NEW: EDC Moves Foward with Broadband Initiative

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

GoLocalProv Business Team

The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation is beginning to make headway with an initiative that would expand the availability and use of high-speed Internet service throughout the state and across the country.

The Corporation’s federally funded Broadband Rhode Island program was used to build the National Broadband Map, a research and comparison tool that will allow residents, businesses, economic developers and policy makers to accurately access the availability and speed of Internet service throughout the country.

RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes said high speed Internet access is vital to the state’s economy.

“Now more than ever, high-speed Internet access is an economic necessity. Rhode Island is playing a key role in enhancing the national digital infrastructure that will connect community institutions, foster computer literacy, develop employment skills and create new opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities to compete in an innovation-driven global economy,” Stokes said.

To date, Broadband Rhode Island has been awarded $4.52 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program will continue to be funded through December 2014.