Broadband in Cook County

September 14, 2011 Broadband Commission Vacancies

The Cook County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications to fill several vacancies on the Cook County Broadband Commission. These volunteer appointments are for two-year terms.

The Broadband Commission was formed because the county board recognizes the potential to strengthen the economic and social vitality of Cook County and its citizens through the strategic adoption of broadband technologies. The board has charged the commission with developing and executing strategies to effectively realize these benefits.

The commission’s work is shaped by the following strategic goals:

• GOAL 1: Broadband Connectivity – To promote the development and availability of robust, reliable, and affordable broadband technologies and services.
• GOAL 2: Knowledge Workforce – To promote development of the knowledge, abilities, and skills needed by county residents to flourish in an information economy.
• GOAL 3: Digital Inclusion – To promote the adoption of programs, policies, and practices that reduce the number of people who do not have access to broadband tools.
• GOAL 4: Innovation – To promote broadband-based innovation in all areas of the community.
• GOAL 5: Stewardship – To promote broadband-based applications that encourage good stewardship of local energy and natural resources.
• GOAL 6: Community – To promote broadband-based applications that strengthen community social ties.

Interested citizens should contact: Danna MacKenzie, Cook County Information Systems Director at 218-387-3662 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Applications can also be downloaded HERE

Appointments will be made by the Cook County Board of Commissioners

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February 17, 2011 - Telecommunications and Information Society Policy Forum

Cook County was recently invited to participate in a panel at this month's TISP forum at the the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. The subject of the panel was "Preview of County-wide FTTH Projects in Minnesota". In addition to representatives from our local project, Russ Conrow gave an overview of the status of the Lake County project and Mark Erickson introduced the audience to Sibley County's approach to building communications infrastructure.

Because the folks at Arrowhead were eye-ball deep in work sessions, I had to go this one alone. For that reason, I focused more on the path we (Cook County as a whole) took to get to where we are today, rather than technical details of the Arrowhead project.

I have included the slide presentation here. If you are interested in reading the transcript of the presentation, I recommend clicking on the link that says "View on SlideShare" and below the slides will be a tab for speakers notes.

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