[Hidden-tech] BROADBAND LEGISLATION PUBLIC HEARING

[webmaster]

>From Berkshire Connect, Inc. And Pioneer Valley Connect

Dear Friends:

As you know, in October Governor Patrick submitted legislation to create
the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and Incentive Fund.  Berkshire
Connect Inc. and Pioneer Valley Connect (the Connects) are very pleased
to announce that a public hearing has been scheduled to hear testimony
about this bill.  The public hearing for ?House No. 4311, An Act
Establishing and Funding the Massachusetts Broadband Institute? is
scheduled for Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 11:00 am in State House
Hearing Room A-2 of the Massachusetts State House.

The Connects, legislators, community and business groups, and residents
have worked hard to draw attention to the inequity of broadband access
in many areas of Western Massachusetts.  The Connects have demonstrated
that the only path forward is a public-private partnership to be
catalyzed with public investment.  The proposed mission of the
Massachusetts Broadband Institute is to implement and manage a $25
million fund, which would leverage private investment with public funds.

Many residents have expressed interest in writing to the Chairmen of the
Senate and House committees hearing the legislation to urge their
support of the Governor?s proposed Massachusetts Broadband Institute
bill.  (Please see #4 and #5 of the attached FAQ for the recommended
testimony format and addresses.)  We encourage you to submit testimony.
Tell your story of how the lack of broadband impacts your life, the
education of your children, your ability to communicate and receive
information, and more.  If you are a business, describe the difficulty
in trying to sustain and grow without broadband access.  Testimony can
be submitted in person at the February 14th hearing or in writing. (Once
again, please see the attached FAQ for format recommendations.)

The Connects will submit testimony at the public hearing to support the
swift passage of this legislation.  We will continue to work closely
with our state and local partners to make broadband available throughout
the region.  We are optimistic that the passage of this legislation will
further the Connects mission of creating a competitive and robust
telecommunications landscape in Western Massachusetts and throughout the
Commonwealth.

Please contact either Jessica Atwood (jatwood at frcog.org) or Sharon Ferry
(sferry at bconnect.org) of the Connects, or Benedict Dobbs of the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
(benedict.dobbs at state.ma.us or 617-788-3664) with questions about the
hearing or submitting testimony.

Sincerely,

Donald R. Dubendorf, President				
Berkshire Connect, Inc.					

Linda Dunlavy, Co-Chair
Pioneer Valley Connect