County leaders attempting to boost economy with technology program

A meeting to kick off an innovative technology program focused on growing the local economy and improving quality of life in Henry and Des Moines counties is slated for May 15 and 17.

The May 15 program will be in Access Energy?s (Mt. Pleasant) Cooperative Training Room at 1 p.m.

On May 17, the meeting will be the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission?s Meeting Room, 211 N. Gear Ave., Burlington.

Local leaders from the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission have elected to participate in an innovative program that seeks increases in access, adoption and use of broadband technology.

Staff from Connect Iowa, the statewide, non-profit promoting solutions for broadband expansion, are guiding area leaders through the steps of the new Connected community certification program, offering a comprehensive and localized way for communities to bridge the digital divide.

The May 15 and May 17 meetings will begin building a plan to ensure that every home, school, organization in southeast Iowa has access to broad band.

Community members interested in the project are welcome to join. Local residents who represent the following sectors are also encouraged to attend: business and industry, healthcare, libraries, K-12 education, community-based organizations, government, agriculture, tourism, recreation and parks and tribal representatives.

The local team will begin by assessing its current state of technology, work with Connect Iowa to determine what improvements are needed and then devise a plan for achieving its local goals.

The Connected program is a part of the Connect Iowa initiative. Connect Iowa is a non-profit working to accelerate the availability and use of technology throughout the state towards creating a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare, more efficient government, enhanced education and improved quality of life.

For more information about the Connected project in southeast Iowa, please contact Justin Bushong at jbushong@seirpc.com or 319-753-4318.