More Rural Areas Get Broadband

Areas along the Gulf Coast are opening their arms to more high speed internet service. Those residents who live along the Florida Panhandle are celebrating as the Florida Rural Broadband Alliance has received nearly $24 million in order to build a new high speed internet infrastructure. Most of this money will go to an eight county region that has fallen behind in terms of broadband availability and affordability.

The region that will benefit from the money includes Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties. The money headed toward these counties will not only go toward private citizens, but also to help benefit and improve education, public health and economic opportunities. All of the money is part of the Recovery Acts Investments Stimulus Package signed into law several months ago.

The Florida Rural Broadband Alliance is comprised of the Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern. Together, the RACECs in South Central Florida and in the Panhandle make up about 20% of the land in the state, but only 39% of the population in those counties has access to broadband. However, this new broadband push will give these same residents broadband opportunities which they have not had before. In addition, these areas will quickly be ushered into the 21st century and be able to compete on a worldwide scale.

Officials say the move is nothing other than a positive one for the region. Many officials liken it the time when companies would search for a community to expand to with good roads or schools. However, this day in age, those companies are looking for communities with broadband. The current work will help put the Florida Panhandle in a position to be much more competitive for jobs and help the economy at the same time.

One of the most important improvements that high speed broadband will help bring to the table is with the healthcare industry. From now on doctors and patients can participate in telemedicine where they don't have to be in the same room with each other in order to have a consultation. In addition, doctors will have easier access to patient's files and to get feedback from other specialists when need be.

In addition, businesses are going to be getting a boost from this middle mile infrastructure. These funds will be used to connect individual businesses to the main line and do so at a cost which is affordable for all. Now, businesses will be able to compete with others located not only in the United States, but around the world. Businesses will also be able to see more of their competition as well as get better rates and equipment.

Thanks to the millions of dollars, portions of north Florida are no longer going to be left out in the cold. Instead, the whole region is on the verge of a whole new way of life and one that will open up numerous opportunities from economic to educational. This work is going to better the lives of all the rural residents of north Florida.

By Brent L Johnson

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Strategic Communications in a Multi-National Environment

By Virgil Magee

Developing an effective strategic communications strategy can be a challenge under even the most ordinary of circumstances, but when you factor in the a global economic recession, it can make communicating to an international audience a most daunting task. And you also need to consider the political, social, and institutional climate that never seems to stop changing.

What seems like an effective strategy today could be a recipe for disaster tomorrow. That is why it is not a good idea to go it alone. You need to have a well-defined plan of attack to navigate the potentially treacherous waters of an ever-changing information landscape and media environment.

There are many ways in which strategic communications can be of value, weather in business or the government sectors.

However, unlike traditional public relations, strategic communicators must broaden their field of vision and see things that may have not yet materialized.

Through the development and implementation of an effective social marketing campaign, you can spread messages through community leaders that will compel people to take appropriate action. In this way, you can be assured of having the biggest impact on a community.

Strategic communications can also be key when it comes to event planning and management. Again, it all comes down to finding ways to influence important community leaders to help lead the masses to engage in the desired behavior.

Initially, this involves building a coalition of like-minded individuals who are motivated to stage an event that will draw support at the grassroots level. Also, through the community leaders, hard-to-reach segments of a population can also be influenced to help deliver the message even further. There is even assistance available for event venue selection and helping to document what took place during the event.

International strategic communications are also important when it comes to data gathering and analysis. Through gathering and analyzing statistics, an organization can help determine an audience's motivations and perceptions, which is crucial in developing any type of effective promotional campaign.

Through the use of tools like focus groups, advisory panels and interviews, what would work and what would not when it comes to a communications program can be easily identified, which can prevent any breakdown in vital communication. Don't let a tricky international climate keep you from getting the message out. Through strategic communications your message can be heard loud and clear all over the world.
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