HomeMy WebLinkAboutBroadband press release 7-8-2014 (2)
Bozeman Schedules Public Meeting with Broadband Planners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOZEMAN, Montana – Consultants with the broadband planning firm, Design Nine of Blacksburg,
Virginia, will kick-off the master planning process for the Bozeman Broadband Initiative with a public
stakeholder meeting on July 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Bozeman City Hall. Members of the public are
encouraged to attend. The master planning process is a project of the City of Bozeman’s Economic
Development Department and was an early priority of the Bozeman City Commission.
The master planning effort received widespread support from community organizations that see next
generation fiber-optic connectivity as crucial infrastructure for economic development. The Bozeman
Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Northwestern Energy, Bozeman Public Schools,
Downtown Bozeman Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District, North Seventh TIF District, and the City of
Bozeman all provided funding for the master plan and implementing the plan’s recommendations. The
City also received grant funding from the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund through Prospera
Business Network and the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Northern Rocky
Mountain Economic Development District. The total cost of the master plan is $70,000.
The City envisions a public-private partnership model in which broadband providers, anchor businesses,
School District 7, the City of Bozeman, and Bozeman Deaconess Hospital collaborate to support a new
community fiber optic network. The master plan will investigate options for public-private partnerships,
viable business and financing models, and potential build plans. It will also explore regulatory options
that can speed the deployment of broadband by the private sector.
“We believe that broadband is critical infrastructure for economic development,” said Brit Fontenot,
City of Bozeman Economic Development Director. “Technology firms, medical providers, banks,
businesses, film makers, and startups require fast, reliable, and secure connections to their clients. This
plan is about investing in our economic future.”
Several Montana cities are evaluating their broadband options. The Montana Economic Revitalization
and Development Institute (MERDI) built a fiber optic ring in Butte utilizing a public-private partnership
with Fatbeam. MERDI’s fiber ring lured a Bozeman-based internet security firm, Hoplite Industries, to
uptown Butte. Missoula is about to release the results of their community broadband feasibility study.
Livingston is also considering developing a broadband master plan.
Business, Education and Economic Development Benefits
• Entrepreneurs, who need fast and secure access to national clients, will be able to focus on
growing their businesses and creating jobs rather than paying crushing broadband bills.
• Teachers and students who need to meet state-level requirements for internet access can do so
at a cost reasonable to local taxpayers.
• Broadband infrastructure attracts businesses to move to the community to exploit inexpensive
network transport, inexpensive Internet access, and data center services.
• Businesses that regularly transfer large amounts of data, such as engineers, architects, lawyers,
and filmmakers will have options that meet their needs at a reasonable cost.
• Hospitals and healthcare providers will be able to provide higher quality care by utilizing
telehealth services.
Bozeman Broadband Initiative Community Partners
Partner Organization
Funds
Obtained
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital 20,000 Downtown Bozeman TIF 10,000 North 7th TIF 10,000 City of Bozeman 20,000 Bozeman Public Schools 10,000 Northwestern Energy 5,000 Bozeman Chamber of Commerce 5,000 Big Sky Trust Fund Grant 25,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration 30,000 Total 135,000
Background Resources:
“The Art of the Possible: An Overview of Public Broadband Options”. 2014. New America Foundation.
“Community Broadband Creates Jobs”. Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
“How Municipal Networks Are Financed”. Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
“Community Broadband Creates Savings”. Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
Contact:
David Fine, Economic Development Specialist
City of Bozeman, Montana
dfine@bozeman.net
406.582.2973