Blunt Works to Expand Rural Access to Current Technology, Opportunities

Governor Creates Rural High-Speed Internet Access Task Force with Executive Order COLUMBIA – Gov. Matt Blunt today signed an executive order creating a new Rural High-Speed Internet Access Task Force that will identify opportunities to increase access to technology across the state. The governor signed the executive order at a telecommunications symposium held on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia. "No Missourian should be left out of today's technology based economy because of where they live," Blunt said. "Expanding access to high-speed Internet in Missouri's rural communities is an important step for economic development, agriculture and education. I have created the Rural High-Speed Internet Access Task Force to help ensure we are doing all we can to deliver current technology to the doorstep of every Missourian who wants it as quickly as possible." The governor's new Rural High-Speed Internet Access Task Force is rooted in the fact that by combining the collective ideas of both the government and representatives of private industry, the technological needs of Missouri rural communities can be heard and solutions can be reached. The governor will name members of the task force to include: * The Lieutenant Governor, who will serve as Chair * The Chief Information Officer of the Office of Administration * Missouri Farm Bureau Representative * MORE Net Representative * Missouri Chamber of Commerce Representative * Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Representative * Missouri Association of Councils of Government Representative * Missouri Association of Counties Representative * Missouri Municipal League Representative * two representatives of Missouri small business * one representative of the education community * one representative from the telecommunications industry * one representative from the cable industry * Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development * Missouri Technology Corporation Representative Gov. Blunt directed the task force to: 1) Assess the current level of high-speed Internet access available in Missouri; 2) Identify barriers to deployment to underserved areas including economic, geographic, regulatory, and market barriers; 3) Identify potential options to increase the deployment of high-speed Internet access in underserved communities; 4) Review best practices in other states to increase high-speed Internet access; and 5) Recommend statutory, regulatory, and policy changes needed to increase the availability of high-speed Internet services across the state. The group will submit a report to the governor by February 1, 2008 and will be assigned to the Department of Economic Development for administrative purposes. Blunt announced his Rural High-Speed Internet Access Task Force to educators, legislators, local officers and officials at a telecommunications symposium. He also lauded competition and added consumer choices made possible by pro-consumer legislation he signed earlier this year. Legislation he signed is bringing needed competition to Missouri's cable television industry that is resulting in new jobs and new investments in technology. Since the governor signed the legislation AT&T Missouri announced plans to invest $335 million over the next three years to bring cutting edge video and Internet services to Missourians and CenturyTel announced plans to add up to 15 new jobs and $15 million in capital investment in Columbia. The legislation went into effect August 28 and reflects the governor's call for action in his State of the State Address. It enacts a statewide cable franchise agreement to promote lower prices and expanded options through increased competition for Missouri cable consumers. The legislation streamlines the process for new cable providers to enter Missouri markets. Companies may now work directly with the Missouri Public Service Commission to enter several local markets at one time without going through each individual city as required by past state laws. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com