>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