Massachusetts to Identify High-Priority
Broadband Investment Targets through
Advanced Mapping Technologies
BOSTON, MA (May 6, 2009) — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) today announced a partnership between the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) and EEA’s Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS) to develop sophisticated mapping that will help the state determine the highest-priority areas for investments in broadband infrastructure and technology. The mapping project will initially focus on western Massachusetts, where problems with broadband coverage are most acute. It will also lay the foundation for comprehensive, statewide broadband mapping, as targeted for funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The announcement was made through a press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
Governor Deval Patrick has made deploying high-speed Internet access, or broadband, to unserved and underserved areas of Massachusetts a top priority. In August 2008, Governor Patrick signed An Act Establishing and Funding the Massachusetts Broadband Institute to accelerate investment in broadband infrastructure assets, such as fiber-optic cables and wireless towers.
“This project will provide a way to incorporate public input regarding coverage gaps experienced by Massachusetts residents and will put more sophisticated data to work in support of Governor Patrick’s goal to bridge the digital divide in Massachusetts by 2011,” said MBI Director Sharon Gillett. “In addition to helping the MBI make immediate operational and investment decisions in western Massachusetts, the interactive GIS platform created will be scalable in the longer term and will position Massachusetts well for state-wide mapping with federal funding through the Recovery Act.”
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