January 1 - March 31, 2013
Broadband Mapping:
- Collected and validated service availability and middle mile data updates from broadband service providers and updated the Community Anchor Institution (CAI) list.
- Completed review and editing of a draft address point database.
- Completed beta development of an address standardization toolkit.
- Continued enhancements to an address maintenance application.
- Completed design and began development of a broadband analysis website, including a digital pledge card and database.
Broadband Planning:
- Continued to collect baseline inventory surveys from CAIs and organize meetings with western Massachusetts municipalities to discuss the deployment status and potential impact of the MassBroadband 123 fiber network on CAIs to achieve community objectives.
- Issued Requests for Information and gathered information from Internet Service Providers seeking to use the MassBroadband 123 network that will help municipally-based CAIs obtain and compare broadband provider services and prices.
Veterans’ Web Portal:
- Added 20 new programs and benefits for a total of 396. The site had over 6,900 unique visitors this quarter, 69% new users.
- Participated in a panel discussion at an FCC Broadband Summit and hosted a training event for the Congressional delegation.
- Testified to MA Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs regarding veterans’ benefits in the state.
- Collaborated with the MA Department of Transportation to produce 7 LED billboards.
- Showcased MassVetsAdvisor at 14 Veterans’ events, including 3 with Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray.
Community Development Corporation (CDC) Grants:
- Dorchester Bay CDC executed agreements with 11 of 13 businesses and began work on projects.
- Quaboag Valley CDC executed agreements with all 5 selected businesses and began work on projects.
- Pittsfield CDC awarded $86,000 in grants to 8 small businesses.
- New Bedford CDC received and began evaluation of applications from 15 businesses.