24 Feb 2012

Iowa Setting the Standard for Small Wind

By Elisha Smith

By Johnathan Hladik, johnathanh@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Proponents of renewable energy across the nation are applauding recent efforts by five Iowa lawmakers to provide an economic incentive for small-scale wind and solar producers. Already a leader in wind energy, Iowa is quickly becoming a model state for clean, domestic, and affordable energy production.

Introduced last week, Senate File 225 encourages the development of renewable power generation by providing a guaranteed payment for each kilowatt hour generated over a period of 20 years. This policy mechanism is referred to as a feed-in tariff, a method used in over 40 countries across the world and cited as the primary reason for successful renewable energy markets abroad.

SF 225 implements a policy where the actual payment per kilowatt hour varies, depending on the technology used to generate electricity, project size, and quality of the resource used, such as average wind speed. In other words, not all projects will be treated alike.

To qualify, each project must be in Iowa and program participation is limited to projects with a majority of ownership within Iowa. Qualifying projects must be less than 20 megawatts in size.

By opening the door to cost effective distributed generation, feed-in tariffs allow citizens to meet energy needs with locally produced electricity. By encouraging the development of customer owned renewable energy, feed-in tariffs eliminate the need for large scale wind development and render costly transmission projects unnecessary. By encouraging energy independence, this bill paves the way for rural economic development throughout Iowa and sets a new standard nationwide.

20 Feb 2012

Lt. Governor Simon urges rural citizens to complete broadband survey

By Kathryn Phillips
Online poll to identify needs, promote statewide access

CARBONDALE - February 15, 2012. As a statewide voice for Southern Illinois, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is urging rural residents to participate in a new online survey about high-speed internet usage that launched today and will help create jobs, improve medical care and enhance educational opportunities.

Unlike past surveys that simply looked at internet access, this statewide poll will reach out to households, farmers, businesses and anchor institutions, such as community colleges and hospitals, to learn how they put broadband to use now and their needs moving forward.

The 20-minute survey includes questions about preferred internet devices, frequent web activities such as research, workforce training and buying or selling of goods, and the importance of broadband to job retention and expansion.

"Rural Illinoisans need affordable, high-speed internet access to land new employers, expand educational opportunities and improve health care," said Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "I encourage my neighbors in Southern Illinois to participate in this research project to ensure that we are a part of the state's broadband strategy and can compete in the 21st century economy."

The survey is being conducted by Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a Springfield nonprofit, enlisted by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of the High-Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act of 2007 to guide local, state and federal policymakers. The results will be used to develop broadband plans in several categories: agriculture, energy and the environment, economic development, education, health care, public safety and government performance.

Illinois is already working with its federal and private sector partners to improve current broadband infrastructure. In his State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn announced the Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge, a $6 million statewide competition funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. It will provide seed money to private and public organizations that expand broadband networks and connect at least 1,000 end-users to ultra-high speed Internet.

Simon said it is crucial for rural Illinoisans to compete in the challenge and complete the survey, as they represent the communities that can benefit most from high-speed internet. Nearly one-fifth of the land area in Illinois lacks any broadband access, and eight of the 10 counties with the least access to broadband in the state are in Southern Illinois. Many suffer from slow speeds.

Similar surveys have been conducted recently in Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia. A 2010 North Carolina survey of 6,266 businesses showed that 17.5 percent of new jobs created over a 12-month period were attributed to the use of the internet and that 32 percent of those businesses consider access to mobile internet essential to their operations.

Partnership for a Connected Illinois, also known as Broadband Illinois, is working with organizations such as the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and state agencies such as DCEO and the Illinois State Board of Education to distribute the survey to internet users throughout the state.

"A major goal of this survey is to ensure that residents of rural Illinois will have access to better broadband," said Drew Clark, executive director of Partnership for a Connected Illinois. "By developing a statewide strategy for better broadband, we're creating a future that includes enhanced economic opportunities, increased availability of educational tools, and higher-quality health care for Illinois residents."

The online survey is open to the public and can be accessed at www.broadbandillinois.org.

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14 Feb 2012

2012 Lectora User Conference Hosts Exclusive Networking Events in the Heart of Downtown Chicago

By Jessica Athey
e-Learning Conference Combines Learning, Networking
& Fun at Annual Industry Event
CINCINNATI - February 14, 2012 - The 2012 Lectora® User Conference will host two exclusive networking events at the upcoming annual e-Learning conference May 22-25. In the heart of downtown Chicago, the Lectora User Conference Welcome and Closing Receptions gather attendees for two exceptional nights of networking, cocktails, food and fun surrounding the conference.
"The Welcome and Closing Receptions will immerse conference attendees in the Chicago history and atmosphere at world-famous locations while they're in the city," said Peter Bray, Chief Marketing Officer at Trivantis Corporation. "These two amazing events are great opportunities for attendees to network, catch up with their peers and exchange tips in a fun, casual atmosphere. Not to mention the fact that they'll enjoy some fantastic cocktails and appetizers in unique settings."
The 2012 Lectora User Conference will host two exclusive events in the heart of downtown Chicago,free of charge for registered Lectora User Conference attendees:
1920s Speakeasy Welcome Reception
The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile will transform the Welcome Reception into a roaring twenties Speakeasy, full of flapper dresses, dapper suits, pearls and boas. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and appetizers, including an exclusive conference-themed cocktail, as they play their hand at famous casino games and have a blast with their colleagues and friends.
The Chicago Experience Closing Reception Atop Willis Tower
Formerly known as Sears Tower, the Skydeck Chicago provides the quintessential Chicago experience. Hosted on the 99th floor of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Lectora User Conference Closing Reception welcomes guests to an "unparalled 360 degree wrap around skyline view." Attendees are in for a night of great food, cocktails, music, dancing and great conversation at this unforgettable destination.
These special events surround two full days of equally exciting e-Learning keynotes, presentations, learning and networking with e-Learning peers, developers and gurus from around the world. Conference attendees will hear from expert keynote speakers Jeremy Gutsche, TV host, author, keynote speaker and Chief Trend Hunter at TrendHunter.com and Sandy Carter, IBM Vice President Social Business and Collaboration Solutions Sales and Evangelism.
For more information including the Welcome and Closing Receptions, conference presentations, training at the conference, to register and more, please visit: 2012 Lectora User Conference.
About The Lectora User Conference and Trivantis Corporation
The Lectora User Conference is a leading e-Learning industry event that attracts professionals from around the world to advance their development skills, increase their e-Learning knowledge and network with other e-Learning professionals. As the flagship product for Trivantis, Lectora® is the world's leading e-Learning software used by most Global 2000 companies in more than 125 countries and is offered in six languages. The Lectora line of e-Learning products includes Lectora Inspire, Lectora Online, Lectora Publisher and Lectora Integrator. Trivantis also produces Flypaper™, the leading Flash content creation platform that empowers users to create, edit, share, track and reuse high-impact Flash and video content. Snap! by Lectora® is the easy-to-use PowerPoint plug-in rapid e-Learning software that converts PowerPoint to Flash. Its sister product, Snap! EmpowerTM Flash interactions builder, enables anyone to create Flash content without having to know Flash programming. To round out the Trivantis family of products, CourseMill is the powerful and affordable learning management system (LMS). Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Trivantis Corporation also has offices in Boca Raton, Phoenix, Paris and London. Trivantis, Lectora, Flypaper, CourseMill, Snap! by Lectora and Snap! Empower are trademarks of Trivantis Corporation.
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Contact:
Jessica Athey
09 Feb 2012

Lectora Online Releases New Features & Enhancements

By Jessica Athey
Lectora Online Releases New Features & Enhancements for Online e-Learning Including a New Live Model Gallery
Lectora Online Version 1.6.2 Includes Features & Updates for Online e-Learning Collaboration
CINCINNATI -- February 9, 2012 - Lectora® Online e-Learning collaboration software releases new features for online e-Learning development including a new Live Model Gallery with several thousand photos for interactive e-Learning development. In addition to the Live Model Gallery, the new features and enhancements for Lectora Online include additional tools to make online e-Learning development much easier and more engaging for learners.
"Lectora users can now add a new level of interactivity to their e-Learning content with thousands of models in multiple poses to fit any course scenario," said Peter Bray, Chief Marketing Officer at Trivantis Corporation. "With the new Live Model Gallery directly within Lectora Online, users have convenient access to a whole host of media resources for all of their e-Learning projects right at their fingertips."
Some of the highlights in Lectora Online Version 1.6.2 include :

  • NEW Live Model Gallery - Choose from more than 5,500 new, unique, high resolution and transparent photographs including 33 models from a variety of backgrounds and professions. Additional photo sets include black and white silhouettes as well as multiple sets of demonstrative hand photographs to fit any e-Learning scenario.

  • Faster Browsing in Media Library Organizer - Save development time while selecting images for e-Learning content. All images in the Media Library Organizer now include thumbnails for a quick preview of all media.

  • Preview Published Page for Reviewers - Reviewers can now preview the published version of a page in a new browser window for an exact look at the final content including any scripting built by the developers.

Lectora Online makes it easy to collaborate on the creation, storage, management and review of online training courses, assessments and presentations. Perfect for teams of e-Learning developers, designers and subject matter experts, Lectora Online provides online access to create and review e-Learning content at any time and in any location.
All new features in Version 1.6.2 are free for current Lectora Online users. For more information and for a free trial, please visit: Lectora Online e-Learning Collaboration Software.
About Lectora Online and Trivantis Corporation
Lectora® is the world's leading e-Learning software used by most Global 2000 companies in more than 125 countries and is offered in six languages. The Lectora line of e-Learning products includes Lectora Online, Lectora Inspire, Lectora Publisher and Lectora Integrator. Trivantis also produces Flypaper™, the leading Flash content creation platform that empowers users to create, edit, share, track and reuse high-impact Flash and video content. Snap! by Lectora® is the easy-to-use PowerPoint plug-in rapid e-Learning software that converts PowerPoint to Flash. Its sister product, Snap! EmpowerTM Flash interactions builder, enables anyone to create Flash content without having to know Flash programming. To round out the Trivantis family of products, CourseMill is the powerful and affordable learning management system (LMS). The latest release, Lectora Talent Management, provides the link between course management and true talent development for companies and organizations. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Trivantis Corporation also has offices in Boca Raton, Phoenix, Paris and London. Trivantis, Lectora, Flypaper, CourseMill, Snap! by Lectora and Snap! Empower are trademarks of Trivantis Corporation.
24 Jan 2012

"Atlas Shrugged" App Takes Top Prize

By Rick Martin

IRVINE, Calif.–Digital Book World Conference 2012 is the site of this year's Publishing Innovation Awards, and the prize for best entry in the App Fiction category has been awarded to Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

It is remarkable for a classic novel to receive such a leading-edge award fifty-five years after publication.

Curated by New American Library/Penguin Group editors and the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), the app brings together the classic, unabridged text, and rarely seen archival materials to add a new dimension to the reader's experience of the work, author's life, and philosophy, in a truly unique immersive literary experience.

Rarely seen material included in the app:

  • Videos and audio excerpts from the author on main topics from the book
  • Full-length audio lectures by Rand, including a Q&A on Objectivism, an outline of its basic principles, and commentary on the state of business and government
  • Handwritten, original manuscript and notes pages by the author
  • An illustrated timeline of the author's life and major works
  • Informative articles on the author and her philosophy of Objectivism
  • Memorable quotes throughout that can be easily shared via Facebook, Twitter and email
  • A photo gallery of early images of the author
  • Discussion Guide

ATLAS SHRUGGED Amplified Edition for the iPad / $14.99, downloadable at the iTunes store/Penguin Group (USA) is on sale now.

For the app website, visit the iTunes App Store.

For a video demonstration of the app, click here.

# # #

24 Jan 2012

2012 Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) Winners Announced

By Danielle Hould

2012 Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) Winners Announced

(TAMPA, FLORIDA USA, 24 January 2012) - The Facility of the Year Awards Judging Panel has named five Category Award Winners and selected one project for Special Recognition in the 2012 Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) program. The winning projects for 2012 are located in Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, and the USA. The winning companies and respective award categories are:

  • Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., winner of the Facility of the Year Award for Sustainability for its Chiesi Farmaceutici Research and Development Centre facility in Parma, Italy
  • Eisai Pharmatechnology & Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., winner of the Facility of the Year Award for Project Execution for its Eisai Knowledge Centre facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh India
  • Merck & Co., Inc., winner of the Facility of the Year Award for Facility Integration for its Merck Vaccine Bulk Manufacturing Facility (VBF) Program of Projects in Durham, North Carolina USA
  • Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH, winner of the Facility of the Year Award for Equipment Innovation for its REX III manufacturing facility in Laupheim, Germany
  • Roche Diagnostics GmbH, winner of the Facility of the Year Award for Operational Excellence for its TP Expand project in Penzberg, Germany
  • National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), winner of the Facility of the Year Award Special Recognition for Novel Collaboration for its New Greenfield facility in Dublin, Ireland

The FOYA program is the pharmaceutical industry's premier awards program dedicated to celebrating innovation and accomplishments in facility design, construction, and operation. The Facility of the Year Awards program recognizes state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing projects that utilize new and innovative technologies to enhance the delivery of a quality project, as well as reduce the cost of producing high-quality medicines. Now entering its ninth year, the awards program effectively spotlights the accomplishments, shared commitment, and dedication of individuals in companies worldwide to innovate and advance pharmaceutical manufacturing technology for the benefit of patients worldwide. The Facility of the Year Awards program is sponsored by ISPE, INTERPHEX, and Pharmaceutical Processing magazine.

"Our 2012 Category Winners reflect the true spirit of the Facility of the Year Awards program," said Judging Panel Chairperson and upcoming "Lessons from 483s" conference keynote speaker Chaz Calitri. "The winning projects exemplify innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing for the benefit of patients all over the world, who depend upon us for medications that are high quality, available and affordable. Our winners come from 5 different countries and include novel, low cost biologics facilities, creative and visionary industry-academia-government collaborations, and hyper-fast track investments made to ensure vaccine's get to patients in need. We are also proud this year to recognize facilities that seek to speed up drug development as well as facilities that greatly reduce the environmental "footprint" of manufacturing in the communities in which they reside"

The Facility of the Year Awards program is truly global, as submissions over the past eight years have been received from more than 25 different countries and territories. Each of the submissions was reviewed by an independent, blue-ribbon judging panel consisting of global senior-level executives from all aspects of the industry. The judging panel met personally in December to select the Category Awards Winners and select the 2012 overall winner, which will be announced to the world for the first time at ISPE's Annual Meeting in November.

2012 Facility of the Year Events
There will be several opportunities to learn first-hand about the facilities being honored as "best in their class." These opportunities include :

  • INTERPHEX2012 - Attendees will be able to meet the Category Award Winners at the Facility of the Year Awards Display Area near the front of the exhibit hall of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, New York, USA. Team members from winning companies will be on-hand to discuss the success stories associated with these pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. More information, including registration information, can be found at www.interphex.com.
  • ISPE 2012 Annual Meeting - Category Winners will give presentations about their winning projects during ISPE's 2012 Annual Meeting, 11-14 November in San Francisco, California USA. The highly anticipated announcement of the 2012 Facility of the Year Awards Overall Winner will also take place during the Keynote Session of this event. Information and updates on this global event can be found at www.ISPE.org.
  • Feature Articles - Comprehensive coverage will appear in Pharmaceutical Processing magazine and ISPE's Pharmaceutical Engineering magazine.

Comprehensive details about each of this year's award-winning projects and their support teams, plus additional information on the awards program itself, can be found at www.FacilityoftheYear.org.

About ISPE
ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, is a not-for-profit Society of 22,000 pharmaceutical professionals in 90 countries who use expert knowledge to create high-quality, cost-effective GMP solutions. ISPE is "Connecting a World of Pharmaceutical Knowledge" by providing Members with opportunities to develop their technical knowledge, exchange practical experience within their community, enhance their professional skills, and collaborate with global regulatory agencies and industry leaders. Founded in 1980, ISPE offers online learning opportunities for a global audience and has its worldwide headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA; its European office in Brussels, Belgium; an Asia Pacific office in Singapore; and its newest office in Shanghai, China. Visit www.ISPE.org for additional Society news and information.

About INTERPHEX
Now in its 33rd year, INTERPHEX is the largest gathering for FDA regulated drug and drug delivery products for technical professionals in development & manufacturing for pharmaceutical, biologic, generic, contract manufacturing and supporting services. ISPE is the exclusive official association sponsor of this industry-leading annual event. Scheduled for May 1-3, 2012 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, NY, USA, the event hosts more than 650 suppliers on the show floor along with an expanded conference program, featuring a high-profile roster of subject matter experts. For information, visit www.INTERPHEX.com/ISPE.

About Pharmaceutical Processing
Pharmaceutical Processing magazine is the pharmaceutical industry's leading information provider, reporting on a full range of innovative new products, equipment, technology and trends for 28,000 engineers and managers responsible for the development, manufacture, validation and packaging of pharmaceuticals. An official sponsor of INTERPHEX, Pharmaceutical Processing distributes critical information to these professionals in a timely manner through a full range of print, electronic and online media. For information, visit www.pharmpro.com.

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24 Jan 2012

6 Must Have Firefox Tools for 2012

By Jane & Winston

Happy new year, dear readers! Hope you had a great holiday and that you're starting the year off right. We have some exciting things planned for 2012 and we're looking forward to sharing them all with you. For starters, we have some tools to make it easier for you to keep your resolutions; we have a great new version of Firefox to tell you about, especially if you have an Android tablet.

Most importantly, we'd like to say thank you to everyone who has helped keep the Web open and innovative. Whether you made a donation to Mozilla in 2011 or made your voice heard against SOPA & PIPA, you've helped keep the Web a public resource for opportunity and a place where everyone can benefit.

Jane & Winston
Editors

6 Tools For Resolution Success

When the clock strikes 12:01 on January 1st, we all have grand notions of the resolutions we'd like to make for the year. Of course, making them is the easy part; it's keeping them that's the real trick. Well, we made our own resolution this year: to keep putting you - and users everywhere - first. So we made a list of the most common resolutions people make and came up with some ways to help you stay on track for success.

Things to Start:

Saving Money
Stopping for takeout four times a week can be pricey. If you'd rather opt for home-cooked meals, Grocery List Generator will make sure you don't forget to pick up that crucial ingredient.

Traveling
You've talked about going on a trip so often that it almost feels like you've already done it. Get yourself on the road (for real) with TravelScout's convenient deals and price comparisons.

Learning a New Language (kinda)
Maybe you don't have time to learn an entire new language this year, but this is almost as good! Use Im Translator to translate foreign language websites and emails into your language.

Things to Stop:

Overeating
Kick your holiday gorging habit with the Calorie Count Toolbar, which logs your caloric intake throughout the day.

Stressing Out
We know you're busy, but taking a few minutes every hour to stretch and look at something other than a computer screen will do wonders for your stress levels (not to mention your joints). Try out StretchClock for useful reminders!

Smoking
Ready to put down those cigarettes for good? Try using Quitomzilla for incentives right in your browser.

And if your plans fall through despite all of this awesome motivation, don't worry, we're not here to judge. Cheer yourself up with a new Persona!
23 Jan 2012

Connect Iowa Joins Forces With Iowa Association of Regional Councils to Improve High-Speed Internet Access, Adoption, & Use Across the State

By Jessica Ditto

Local Leaders Seek to Enlist Community Participation in Achieving Broadband Expansion

Des Moines, IA - Today, Connect Iowa and the Iowa Association of Regional Councils (IARC) announced a new partnership to launch a statewide "Connected" community engagement program aimed at increasing broadband access, adoption, and use. High-speed Internet is the key to attracting quality jobs, improving education, putting people in touch with government services, and building an all-around better quality of life. In collaboration with Connect Iowa, members of the Iowa Association of Regional Councils are taking charge of expanding broadband's reach in their communities.

Last week, staff of regional Council of Governments (COGs) from all over the state took an intensive weeklong Connect Iowa training and began forming teams of local leaders who want to help create the plan for broadband expansion in their community. These leaders arrived back home this week with a critical new mission: revive their communities through broadband expansion.

"Getting all of Iowa connected to quality broadband is vital to the economic development of our state. Iowa's Councils of Governments, in conjunction with IARC, will be the driving force in getting the Connect Iowa initiative up and running in each of their regions," says Iowa Association of Regional Councils Executive Director Nichole Warren. "They'll be reaching out to their community leaders and asking them to join the local planning teams."

Last week, Connect Iowa announced the formation of a new broadband advisory committee that will help guide and oversee this new initiative.

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with IARC to begin working in the local communities," says Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "Change happens at the local level and by drawing in our relationships with the providers and local leaders and combining that with the intelligence we've gathered through our maps and research, we can identify solutions that best fit the community."

Connected is a community-based initiative to accelerate broadband access, adoption, and use. The certification process benefits communities through a process of assessment, benchmarking, and planning by helping participants identify their community's technological strengths and challenges and helping community partners match up with local opportunities.

"Connect Iowa's Connected community program is an amazing opportunity for towns and regions across the state to assess their broadband needs and find real solutions," says Kuhlers. "The aim is to put the tools in the hands of the community, help them do a detailed assessment of what the true local needs are, and then construct an informed plan to get the community connected in the most efficient way possible. It could be updating a school's network or getting access to an unserved community, but the best part is that each plan will be custom-tailored to each region's own specific needs and landscape."

Anyone with an interest in bringing better broadband to local homes and businesses is encouraged to join in the community planning effort. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Kuhlers at akuhlers@connectiowa.org or 515-421-2561.

Local COG leaders are listed below.

# # #

About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: http://www.connectiowa.org.

Follow Connect Iowa on Facebook and Twitter.

Agency/ COG

Contact

Address

Phone

Email

Counties

Area 15 Regional Planning Commission

Matt Bauman

P. O. Box 1110

Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

 

(641) 684-6551

matt.bauman@indianhills.edu

Davis, Keokuk, Jefferson, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wappello

 

Bi-State Regional Commission

Doug DeLille

1504 Third Avenue
P.O. Box 3368

Rock Island, Illinois 61204-3368

(309) 793-6300

ddelille@bistateonline.org

Muscatine, Scott

East Central Intergovernmental Association

 

Kelsey McElroy Anderson

7600 Commerce Park

Dubuque, Iowa 52002

(563) 556-4166

kmcelroy@ecia.org

Cedar, Clinton

Delaware, Dubuque

Jackson

East Central Iowa Council of Governments

Tracy DeKoter & Hilary Copeland

700 16th Street NE, Suite 301

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402

 

(319) 365-9941

tracy.dekoter@ecicog.org
hilary.copeland@ecicog.org

Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones

Linn, Washington

Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments

Kyle Durant

229 E. Park Avenue

Waterloo, Iowa 50703

 

(319) 235-0311

kdurant@inrcog.org

Black Hawk, Bremer

Buchanan, Butler

Chickasaw, Grundy

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency

Clint Sloss

2222 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 444-6866

csloss@mapacog.org

Mills, Pottawattamie

MIDAS Council of Governments

Carissa Miller

602 First Avenue South

Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

(515) 576-7183

cmiller@midascog.net

Calhoun, Hamilton

Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster

Wright, Boone

North Iowa Area Council of Governments

Dan Schroeder & Dana Heimbuch

525 Sixth St. S.W.

Mason City, Iowa 50401

 

(641) 423-0491

dschroeder@niacog.org

Cerro Gordo, Floyd

Franklin, Hancock

Kossuth, Mitchell

Winnebago, Worth

Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission

 

Aaron Sedey

217 W. Fifth Street,
P. O. Box 1493

Spencer, Iowa 51301

 

(712) 262-7225

aaron.sedey@nwipdc.org

Buena Vista, Clay

Dickinson, Emmet

Lyon, O'Brien

Osceola, Palo Alto

Sioux

 

Region 6 Planning Commission

 

Donna Sampson

 

903 E. Main Street

Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

 

 

(641) 752-0717


dsampson@region6planning.org

 

Hardin, Marshall

Poweshiek, Tama

 

Region XII Council of Governments

Stacy Lentsch

1009 East Anthony Street
P.O. Box 768

Carroll, Iowa 51401

 

(712) 792-9914

slentsch@region12cog.org

Audubon, Carroll

Crawford, Greene

Guthrie, Sac

Dallas

Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission

Justin Bushong

211 N. Gear Avenue, Suite 100
West Burlington, IA 52655

(319) 753- 5107

jbushong@seirpc.com

Des Moines, Henry

Lee County, Louisa

Southern Iowa Council of Governments

Andrew Collings

101 East Montgomery Street

Creston, Iowa 50801-0102

 

(641) 782-8491

collings@sicog.com

Adair, Adams, Clarke

Decatur, Madison

Ringgold , Taylor

Union

Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan

Planning Council

Andrea Westergard

1122 Pierce Street
P.O. Box 1077

Sioux City, Iowa 51102

 

(712) 279-6286

awestergard@simpco.org

Cherokee, Ida

Plymouth, Woodbury

Southwest Iowa Planning Council

John McCurdy

1501 S.W. Seventh Street

Atlantic, Iowa 50022

(712) 243-4196

john.mccurdy@swipco.org

Cass, Fremont

Harrison, Montgomery, Page

Shelby

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission

Casey Mai

325 Washington St., Suite A

Decorah, Iowa 52101

 

(563) 382-6171

cmai@uerpc.org

Allamakee , Clayton

Fayette, Howard

Winneshiek

IARC

Nichole Warren

1123 Sandalwood Ct. SW

Altoona, IA 50009

(515)554-3210

iarcdirector@live.com

Polk, Jasper, Story, Warren, Marion, Lucas, Appanoose, Monroe & Wayne
23 Jan 2012

Blackout: Internet Users Aren't the Only Ones Who Depend on Technology

By Laurie Johns

My 14-year-old daughter is a quiet, serious soul who isn't prone to hysterics or drama, so you can imagine my reaction when I heard a shriek and a 'slam' come from her room this week.  Was it a mouse? A rabid raccoon in the backyard? No, the Internet had 'crashed' right as she was trying to access information while writing an English paper.

Teenagers, lawmakers and otherwise-sane-adults sounded a collective 'gasp' when more than 10,000 websites shut down in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act bill.   Millions of signatures and petitions were gathered in a single day because Americans wanted Congress to get this point: we need technology.

Well, here's my point: we also need to embrace technology in farming.  It seems farming is the only industry that people want to remain unchanged from the 60's, 70's or 80's.  Maybe that's because the last time many Americans were on a farm, it was before the Internet.  Back then, weeds from soybean fields were removed by roving bands of hoe-swinging, sweaty teenagers.   Back then, corn was put in the fields with six row planters (if you're lucky) and it took three days to harvest a 100-acre field and all that work would bring a farmer less than $2 per bushel.  Yields were a fraction of what they are today.   There weren't a lot of choices in production; farming was labor intensive and fewer farm kids went on to college because that's just the way things were.

Today, tractors are bigger, yields are bigger, and corn prices are twice what they were in the 80's.  That's not all that's gaining ground in rural Iowa today; college education levels, which once hovered around 10 percent in the 1980's, are now over 30 percent.  There are more choices in food production; you want organic?  Iowa farmers grow it.  You want conventional?  Iowa farmers grow it.  What you want depends on what you are able and willing to pay.

Clearly, technology in farming has brought more choices to you and me. I, for one, am glad for those choices, and the progress that made them possible.  It's food for thought; as you wheel your cart down the grocery aisle, armed with your iPhone-enabled QR-code price scanners, there's no going back.  And, for that matter, who would want to?

13 Jan 2012

Connect Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority Launch New Advisory Committee on Broadband

By Nicholas Depew

New advisory committee kicks off intensive community broadband expansion program

Des Moines, IA - This week, Connect Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) convened the first broadband advisory committee meeting, kicking off a new community engagement effort to expand broadband access, adoption, and use across the state. Community leaders from around Iowa are now joining forces to oversee the expansion of high-speed Internet to every corner of the state. Connect Iowa's new broadband advisory committee includes elected officials, public service agency representatives, providers, educators, librarians, and business people. Their common goal is to support and guide the Connect Iowa initiative.

During the meeting broadband stakeholders discussed the history of broadband expansion in the state, and the plan for bringing broader access to Iowa communities in the coming year. The meeting was a great success and set the groundwork for how diverse broadband stakeholders can work together to further progress across the state in 2012.

"The inauguration of our broadband advisory committee marks an important step for Connect Iowa and signals our commitment to closing the digital gap that persists in our communities," says Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "We are excited to be bolstered by the support of key stakeholders representing all areas of economic interest. Connect Iowa, with the support of the advisory committee, is undertaking the important work of building grassroots regional planning to grow and expand technology use in communities across the state."

The closing of the digital adoption gap in Iowa will have a significant impact on the way citizens learn, work, and live their daily lives. According to Connect Iowa's latest broadband availability research from the 2011 Iowa residential and business surveys:

  • 37% of Iowa households still do not subscribe to broadband at home
  • 45% of Iowans living in rural areas do not subscribe to broadband service at home
  • 23,000 Iowa businesses are still not using broadband despite the fact that Iowa businesses that use broadband make an average of $259,000 more in annual revenue than businesses without

"The first meeting of the advisory council was really interesting because there were so many people representing different pieces of the broadband puzzle around the table," said committee member and Iowa State Librarian Mary Wegner. "I am excited that we will be working together to improve broadband adoption in Iowa, improve the speed, and get more Iowans using broadband. The most important part, and the part where libraries really come into the picture, is to help Iowans really understand the limitless opportunities and what they can do when they have access to high-speed Internet."

Connect Iowa, in collaboration with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, is working with broadband providers and other public and private partners to speed up the expansion of broadband in unserved and underserved areas. The organization is pinpointing remaining gaps in Iowa's broadband availability and supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of technology that promises economic development and better quality of life for Iowa residents.

The committee's first meeting kicked off a week of intensive training for a new grassroots program that Connect Iowa will be unveiling next week. The committee expects to meet quarterly with the next meeting planned for April.

If you have suggestions regarding how technology can be improved to better serve your community, Connect Iowa wants to hear from you. To submit comments, ideas, or gain access to the initiative's many online tools and resources, please visit www.connectiowa.org or contact Amy Kuhlers at akuhlers@connectiowa.org.

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About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: www.connectiowa.org.

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