One Economy Forms Council of City and State Leaders To Deliver Broadband Adoption Solutions

80 Elected Officials Join National Technology Adoption Advisory Council

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One Economy, a global nonprofit at the forefront of bringing broadband opportunity to underserved communities, announced today the launch of a leadership forum of this country's leading municipal and state elected officials called the National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC).  One Economy's NTAAC is a coalition of elected officials who have consistently made increased access to technology a part of their civic platforms and who are dedicated to securing public and private sector funding to support sustainable broadband adoption initiatives.  

The launch of the NTAAC comes just a few weeks before the anticipated release of the National Technology Information Agency's National Broadband Map. One Economy National Engagement Officer BMaynard Scarborough has been tapped to lead this initiative.

"Technology adoption is imperative to the future and economic strength of this nation," said Kelley Dunne, President and CEO, One Economy Corporation.  "During his recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made a commitment to bring 98% of Americans online over the next five years.  We are closer to making that mission a reality with the active engagement and dedication of bi-partisan elected leaders like those who now make up the National Technology Adoption Advisory Council."

The mission of the NTAAC is to convene, support and empower local and state governments in their effort to leverage broadband to improve their communities and the lives of their constituents.  The Council represents the interests of their constituents as it relates to policy, legislative and administrative developments on the national level, and together they will generate a blueprint on how local elected officials can utilize various broadband technologies to drive workforce development, education improvement, and economic growth.

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to bring digital opportunity to every city and state in the nation," said NTAAC Co-Chair and Birmingham City Councilor Johnathan F. Austin (District 5).  "One Economy and this council have a wealth of knowledge, ideas, expertise and partnerships that can, and will create a sustainable broadband adoption program nationwide."

NTAAC is a bi-partisan council with upwards of 80 elected officials from across the United States including Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Click here for full list of members.

"While the members of the NTAAC come from communities with unique constituents and needs, we share a common vision in the need of 21st century technology in improving the economic, education and health outcomes of our communities," said Michigan State Representative, Maureen L. Stapleton (District 4-Detroit), Co-Chair of the NTAAC.  "I look forward to working with this council and One Economy in bringing forward solutions to universal technology access."

The NTAAC is Co-Chaired by Birmingham City Councilor Johnathan F. Austin (District 5) and Michigan State Representative Maureen L. Stapleton (District 4-Detroit), along with a six member executive panel comprised of leadership from one (1) representative from the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Northwest/West, Southeast and Southwest Regions.  The NTAAC will convene its inaugural strategy session in Washington, D.C. in early March 2011, and will conduct quarterly regional progress forums.  

ABOUT ONE ECONOMY

One Economy is a global non-profit that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people.  More than 19 million people have used One Economy's online tools and resources on its Public Internet Channel www.pic.tv to build better lives.  To date, One Economy has launched on the ground programs in 42 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

SOURCE One Economy