Broadband Summit May 21 in Lake Placid

   State Senator Betty Little and Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office for Technology, will co-host a broadband summit to talk about closing the North Country digital divide.

   The public event will be held Friday, May 21, 1 to 4 pm at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid.  The goal of the program is to provide up-to-date information about existing broadband service, broadband construction projects underway, and future plans to develop broadband throughout the Adirondacks.

   “We all share the goal of high-speed Internet connectivity.  We all recognize its importance, that it is a cornerstone of future economic growth, and that many of our rural communities desperately need it.  The goal of the summit is to identify where we are, where we want to go and how we get there.  It’s about coordinating public and private efforts to speed up development and ensure the fastest, most cost efficient outcome possible,” Senator Little said.

   Dr. Mayberry-Stewart said, “I am pleased to co-host the broadband summit with Senator Little.  With greater broadband availability, citizens can connect to educational and training opportunities; communities can foster economic development; businesses can access new markets and create jobs; and our schools, colleges and universities can conduct high-tech research and development. I look forward to the broadband summit and look forward to working together to ensure every New Yorker has access to affordable high speed broadband service.     

   Dr. Mayberry-Stewart is Chair of the New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council, established under Governor Paterson’s Executive Order 22.  The Council is charged to serve as the state’s chief advocate for broadband development to promote long term growth and enhance delivery of broadband services.

   For more information, please contact Senator Little’s office at (518) 455-2811.

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