Bluegrass State receives recognition for ConnectKentucky broadband initiative

For the past 12 years, the APT has presented the Hadden Award in honor of Dr. Susan Hadden, who dedicated her career toward advancing a national vision for public access to advanced telecommunications.

The 2008 award was bestowed on Kentucky’s comprehensive plan to accelerate economic and technology growth via the ConnectKentucky initiative. The initiative has garnered national, industry-wide recognition as a best-practice model for broadband expansion. The model includes extensive broadband mapping, a public-private partnership and local eCommunity leadership teams.

ConnectKentucky develops and implements effective strategies for technology deployment, use and literacy in Kentucky, creating both the forum and the incentive for interaction among a variety of individuals and entities. Goals are to accelerate the growth of technology in support of community and economic development, improved healthcare, enhanced education and more effective government.

“ConnectKentucky’s comprehensive strategy of assessing broadband availability, identifying and aggregating demand through grassroots county planning teams and bringing providers and users together through a private-public partnership has resulted in an expansion of broadband availability that is both significant and measurable,” said Kenneth Peres, APT president.

For more information about ConnectKentucky, visit: http://www.connectkentucky.org/.