New Policy Initiative: The Digital Inclusion Forum

Just back from a two-day trip to Washington D.C. attending the inaugural Digital Inclusion Forum. This is a project of an Industry/Government and Academic group that works on Wireless initiatives internationally (W2i). Wireless Minneapolis community benefits agreement (CBA) was noted as a "best practice" during policy roundtable discussions.

Microsoft Whitepaper Highlights Minneapolis Wireless Initiative

A newly published white paper by Microsoft's Maria Wynne and Lane Cooper spotlights innovative Digital Inclusion projects around the U.S.:

Power Up: The Campaign for Digital Inclusion --
Digital Inclusion Imperatives Offer Municipalities
New Social and Economic Opportunities

Minneapolis is noted for both the business case behind Wireless Minneapolis, and the Community Benefits Agreement that accompanied the final contract. Great recognition of local efforts! Download the Report (pdf)

Merry Christmas Media Moguls!

The FCC today ignored public comment, and approved sweeping changes in media ownership rules which promise to consolidate media ownership in the nation's 20 largest markets.

This is a dark day for independent, free media, and democracy in general--which relies on an informed public. Divided FCC eases media ownership restrictions (Reuters News)

MN Public Radio: Digital Divide Remains

This morning MPR aired a report on local Digital Inclusion efforts, highlighting a program I --along with VISTA member Jeff Streier-- began in 2004...the Community Technology Empowerment Project.

Presentation Notes

Linked here is a presentation I recently gave at a forum on community benefits agreements, sponsored by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of MN, and the Federal Reserve: The Wireless Minneapolis Community Benefits Agreement: From Conflict to Collaboration