BVU lays groundwork for community broadband

BRISTOL, Va. – A new committee designed to advance regional broadband use took its initial steps Tuesday.

Established by Bristol Virginia Utilities, the community broadband integration group began laying the groundwork for a review of technology uses and
applications in the region.

“This is a good start,” Chairperson Beth Rhinehart said after the hour-long meeting. “We’re gathering information and next time we’ll work to define our mission.”

BVU established the committee earlier this year after being named to the 2009 Intelligent Community Forum’s Smart 7 for its deployment and use of high-speed broadband technology. BVU CEO Wes Rosenbalm said the idea is to identify new ways that broadband Internet technology could improve the quality of commercial, educational, health care and other applications.

“You are already outside the box of what BVU is usually thinking about,” Rosenbalm told the group. “We’re usually out here trying to sell something. It’s encouraging.”

On Tuesday, the group established three sub-groups to gather information about existing partnerships and technology initiatives and to review the programs of other communities named to the Intelligent Community Forum’s Smart 21 for 2010, which includes Bristol, Va.

The third subgroup is to gather existing needs assessment surveys conducted by area human services agencies and other data pertinent to Bristol and Southwest Virginia.

Lisa Meadows, CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and a member of the broadband committee, will oversee the needs assessment sub-group.

“I think we have a solid program and a unique opportunity in Bristol to look at our community’s future and think outside the box for solutions,” Meadows said. “I don’t see a limit or a ceiling to what we can propose.”

However, she said, the group should take its time, and educate and involve the community in whatever is ultimately proposed.

Rhinehart said one of her goals is for the group to advance one project within six months.

“Once we get into the process, something will probably be very evident that we can do,” Rhinehart said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the group also reviewed some of the broadband applications used by other communities named to last year’s ICF Smart 21 communities.

The group meets again in January.

| (276) 645-2532