VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Connected Communities for the 21st Century
Application Process
Overview:
In late June of 2006, the Arkansas Community Foundation announced
grant funding for a program to encourage communities to become
connected in the global economy. The University of Arkansas’
Breakthrough Solutions program will offer “Connected Communities for
the 21st Century” to one pilot community in Arkansas. Breakthrough
Solutions (and its predecessor program, VISION 2010) is a proven
economic and community development program that helps communities
and regions create their future.
Many communities have high speed telecommunications. Many
communities have a strategic plan. Few strategic plans include a
comprehensive plan for effective use of this powerful resource. In
the 21st Century, broadband applications for attracting and
developing knowledge workers, economic development, education,
workforce preparation and healthcare are central in community and
economic development.
Rural communities are experiencing profound changes caused by
forces impacting the global, national and local economies. Some of
these changes are caused by the digital divide –traditionally
defined as the divide between communities with and those without
internet connectivity. The new definition includes access to high
speed telecommunications – broadband connectivity. Without it, rural
communities are at a huge disadvantage when compared to communities
that have this capacity. Contributing to the digital divide are lack
of accessibility, cost, lack of technology skills, resistance to
change, and the lack of understanding of the importance of
connectivity in the lives of citizens. This program will equip
organizations, government and businesses in a community to bridge
the digital divides.
The Connected Communities program was developed in response to
research with rural community leaders who expressed the need to:
1) stop exporting our brain trust,
2) develop good jobs to keep our young adults in Arkansas,
3) develop tools to attract new businesses and jobs in a
knowledge-based economic system,
4) develop markets for local products and services
5) create an environment fostering information technology,
entrepreneurship, e-government and e-commerce in a diverse
economic base,
6) maintain low unemployment while offering better paying jobs,
7) provide affordable access to technology and telecommunications
infrastructure,
8) reduce the technology gap between generations, and
9) address the claim that a new industrial park or recruitment of
a new large industry is the answer to our economic problems.
IMPORTANT: Extension
will use Arkansas Community Foundation funds for program
development and delivery of Connected Communities for the 21st
Century at a reduced cost to the selected community.
(Breakthrough Solutions operates on a cost-recovery basis) The
reduced fee for the program is $5,000 - to be paid over the six
month program delivery time.
Connected Communities will select one pilot community to
participate in this on e-year program. The selection process
includes:
1. A simple
pre-application (PDF) process (see page 3)
2. Two to three semi-finalists
notified to complete application package to demonstrate commitment
to completing the program
Final Application Includes:
3. Semi-finalists form steering
committee, made up of community leaders from diverse sectors in the
community (education, healthcare, workforce development, etc.)
4. Semi-finalists identify local 501C3 not-for-profit organization
to manage funding issues for this program
5. Informational meeting to
explain program to semi-final communities, accept final application
6. Pilot community selected (alternates may opt to be on waiting
list)
The next steps for the pilot community include:
Steering committee conducts survey to
benchmark IT and broadband usage, IT
infrastructure, other IT assets, as well as barriers to attracting
and developing knowledge workers, and other technology-based
economic development strategies
Series of workshops take
place in community,
Study action teams develop
and implement the community technology blueprint,
Evaluation and review session
Celebration event in the community
Timeline:
October 20: Community pre-applications due
October 23: Communities notified of site visits
November 1 – 3 Informational meetings conducted during site
visits, application packages due
November 10 After reviewing applications, pilot community is
announced
November 29 First workshop conducted
December – Feb. Additional workshops
March Technology Blueprint completed
Celebration
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