July 1 - September 30, 2012
Broadband Mapping:
- Collected and validated service availability and middle mile data updates from broadband service providers and expanded and updated the Community Anchor Institution (CAI) list.
- Regional Planning Agencies (RPA) in the Berkshire, Pioneer Valley and Central MA regions modified cable and DSL availability verification maps based on community feedback.
- Through a competitive procurement, selected a vendor for application development for address data development, standardization and mapping and held a kick-off meeting and application and database design and technical review meetings.
Broadband Planning:
- WesternMA Connect (WMC) continued to provide broadband technology briefings to towns and community organizations and support for community outreach efforts.
- WMC developed a baseline survey and a guide on innovative broadband uses for community anchor institutions. Distributed surveys in Franklin County and entered initial responses into a database.
- WMC and the RPAs continued to provide wireless bylaw planning support to towns as requested.
Veterans' Web Portal:
- Added 61 new programs and benefits, bringing the total to 301. Quality assurance reviews were conducted by the MBI, MA Department of Veterans' Services and the Advisory Board.
- Added 23 Veteran Service Officers, bringing the total to 95% of all VSO's.
- Held a press conference with Congressman Richard Neal, launched a social media campaign and monthly newsletter and showcased
- Mass VetsAdvisor at 19 veterans' events. As a result, new users represented 68% of all visitors to the site.
Community Development Corporation (CDC) Grants:
- Held a press conference with Congressman Neal to promote the project.
- All CDCs hired project coordinators and drafted applications for grants to small businesses. CDCs in Quabog Valley and Dorchester Bay released their applications.
- CDC in Pittsfield began planning an informational forum for business owners.