[1st-mile-nm] Fwd: [NDIA Listserv] Chattanooga, TN Press Release

[Richard Lowenberg]

Example setting from Chattanooga, TN.   RL


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [NDIA Listserv] Press Release
Date: 2020-07-29 11:28
 From: Debra Socia <deb at theenterprisectr.org>
To: NDIA Affiliates and Friends Listserv <listserv at digitalinclusion.org>

  Hamilton County Public Schools (see press release below) will be able
to connect ALL free/reduced lunch students to FREE 100mbps symmetrical
home access from EPB, thanks to partnerships and community support. It
is exciting to be a part of this collaboration.

  It's a really good day in this neighborhood. 🙂

  Best,
  Deb

  FROM: Hensley Tim <hensley_t at HCDE.ORG>
SENT: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 12:30 PM
SUBJECT: Hamilton County and Chattanooga use Smart City Infrastructure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: TIM HENSLEY, APR
July 29, 2020

  HAMILTON COUNTY AND CHATTANOOGA USE SMART CITY INFRASTRUCTURE
  TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR STUDENTS

Hamilton County Schools (HCS) is joining with EPB of Chattanooga and
other community partners to ensure all students can access the internet
for online learning as the COVID-19 crisis continues.  Made possible by
support from local private and public partners and by having a
community-wide fiber optic network in place, HCS EdConnect powered by
EPB is a new initiative that will provide internet services to about
28,500 economically challenged students in Hamilton County Schools in
the greater Chattanooga area—at no charge to the family.  The
formation of this partnership program is the first time a U.S community
is definitively bridging the digital divide for education by providing a
high-quality broadband solution to all students in need.

Families in the EPB service area with students who participate in HCS
EdConnect powered by EPB will receive a router and at least 100 Mbps
internet service at no charge to them. This internet service is at least
four times faster than typical educational access offerings from other
providers, and it is the only one that delivers symmetrical speeds (same
speed for uploads and downloads) with no data caps. As a result, HCS
EdConnect families will have more than enough broadband capacity and
data to participate in video-based learning and other high bandwidth
educational applications. The program is structured such that qualified
students will maintain their internet services at no charge for at least
ten years if the partnership reaches its full fund-raising goal.

“Ensuring the continued educational progress of our students is our
top priority,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “We’re
meeting the challenges of the COVID crisis head-on by creating this
innovative new program to ensure that our students have the connectivity
they need to excel in the short-term and for the foreseeable future.”

HCS EdConnect is made possible because the Chattanooga area is served by
a 100% fiber-to-the-home network that passes every home and business.
This pioneering community-based fiber optic network was built-out in
2010 by EPB, the community’s municipally owned energy and connectivity
provider.

“Families and students need high-speed broadband for schoolwork,
exploration, and innovation,” said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.
“Through this partnership, we are using our fiber network to improve
the lives of thousands of families.”

Community partnerships have allowed Hamilton County Schools to rapidly
raise $6 million toward the upfront infrastructure investment of $8.2
million necessary for the additional infrastructure and equipment needed
at the outset of the project. Thus far, the funding partners for HCS
EdConnect include Hamilton County, the City of Chattanooga, BlueCross
BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, and the Smart City Venture Fund,
which includes Benwood Foundation, Community Foundation, Footprint
Foundation, and Robert L. And Katherina Maclellan Foundation.

“Our teachers, administrators, staff, and families are so thankful for
the way this community is coming together to ensure the continuing
educational progress of our children,” said Dr. Johnson. “More
funding partners are already stepping forward to assist us in reaching
full funding and helping our children become future-ready and prepared
for success in school and life after graduation.”

“This partnership will benefit students, their families, and our
community,” said Joe Wingate, chairman of the Hamilton County Board of
Education. “Our mission as a board and school district is to move all
children in our school district forward, and this effort will address
vital action plan areas of Accelerating Student Achievement, providing
Future Ready Students, and an Engaged Community found in our five-year
plan Future Ready 2023.”

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has made learning more difficult for
both students and their families, especially those who don’t have
fast, reliable internet access,” said Roy Vaughn, executive director
of the BlueCross Foundation. “This program will help Hamilton County
students keep learning in today’s unique environment — and beyond
— and help address the societal inequities that make it difficult for
families to thrive.”

HCS EdConnect will ensure that all students have the connectivity they
need to access the school district’s virtual learning programs,
including HCS at Home and HCS Virtual School. HCS EdConnect is a locally
funded, community-based initiative. Eligibility to participate is
determined by the benchmarks for economic disadvantage set by the state
of Tennessee.

If the full-fundraising goal is reached, Hamilton County Schools and EPB
will be able to fund the on-going cost of the service out of their
existing operating budgets for ten years. The Enterprise Center will
also play a significant role in facilitating communications and
delivering technical support for HCS EdConnect powered by EPB.

"Online learning is an integral part of education in the 21st century,
especially in a world made remote due to COVID-19," said Deb Socia,
president of The Enterprise Center. "Now, just as any student who
depends on transportation is able to ride the bus, every student will be
able to fully participate in the incredible opportunities afforded by
Hamilton County Schools."

“EPB’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic growth
of our community,” said Warren Logan, EPB Board Chair. “I can’t
think of a greater impact we could have than joining with our private
and public partners to do what we can to help our students reach their
full potential and prepare for their future careers.”

NEXT STEPS

Based on the funding that is already in place, Hamilton County Schools
has begun outreach to eligible students in the district.  As families
respond and opt-in to participate in HCS EdConnect powered by EPB,
plans are in place for EPB to begin installations immediately. Because
HCS EdConnect provides for the installation of additional equipment,
including a WiFi router to ensure a high-quality internet service with
ready-to-use WiFi access, and school begins August 12, the offering is
being rolled out as quickly as possible over the next several months
until all students have access.

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO

Parents will be contacted by Hamilton County Schools using calls, text,
and email. Once the family receives information about the program from
the district, parents will have the opportunity to opt-in, and EPB will
contact them to set up the service.

  HAMILTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
  3074 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421
  423.498.7020

  Deb Socia
  President
  The Enterprise Center
1100 Market Street  Floor 5
Chattanooga, TN 37402
http://www.theenterprisectr.org/


Links:
------
[1] https://www.hcde.org/

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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