July 1 - September 30, 2013
Broadband Mapping:
- Collected and validated service availability and middle mile data updates from broadband service providers, expanded and updated the Community Anchor Institution (CAI) list and submitted the data to the NTIA on September 30.
- Created new cable and DSL service maps by town and worked with communities to improve the service area boundaries.
- Completed focus group testing on an address maintenance application and continued development of a broadband analysis website.
Broadband Planning:
- Collected baseline inventory surveys from CAIs and organized meetings with municipalities on the potential impact of the MassBroadband 123 fiber network to the communities.
- Completed a final project report and closed out the project.
Veterans' Web Portal:
- Added 25 new programs and
- benefits for a total of 426. The site had over 6,400 unique visitors this quarter, 70% new users.
- Launched Spanish and Portuguese web site translations.
- Worked with the Veterans Administration and Department of Labor to assess the possibility of a regional expansion of the website.
- Held 6 Mass VetsAdvisor trainings and showcased the website at 10 additional Veterans' and regional events.
Community Development Corporation (CDC) Grants:
- All four CDCs are working with the businesses to implement their projects, including hardware and software purchases, website development and technical training. A total of 43 businesses have been awarded $287,245 in technical assistance.
- Pittsfield CDC awarded 1 additional business.
- Dorchester Bay CDC released an application for the 13 participating businesses to request additional grant funds from the remaining $22,000 available.
- New Bedford CDC developed a technical assistance program for Spanish speaking businesses.
- Quabog Valley CDC is compiling stories of program impacts.
- Began developing a project performance assessment plan and baseline measures in a joint effort with the Mass VetsAdvisor team.