2009 Conference Overview

The 2009 Broadband in Cities & Towns Conference will devote considerable time discussing South Carolina's proposed statewide broadband network and the federal broadband stimulus funding of $7.2 billion. This one day conference will also include presentation of professional papers, delivered informally, and panel discussions which address the role of broadband technology and its applications for education as well as community and economic development. Some questions to be addressed in the conference include:

• How can broadband best support the educational needs and improve educational outcomes of South Carolina and the nation?
• How can broadband enhance workforce development and prepared more citizens for the information and knowledge economy?
• What role does broadband play in community and economic development?
• How do we bridge the broadband digital divide that exists between the state's information haves and have-nots?
• How will the broadband stimulus benefit your community?

The proceedings of the conference will be published and distributed to local, state, and national policy makers. It is anticipated that smaller, community-focused broadband meetings will take place around the state after the national conference.