Dear Western MA Stakeholder:
As you well know, areas in your community and throughout western Massachusetts are unserved by basic broadband services. In 2008, the state legislature and Governor Patrick established the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to take on this challenge and bring broadband access to all unserved citizens, starting in western Massachusetts. To help achieve this goal, the MBI is in the process of applying for federal infrastructure funding to build an advanced fiber-optic network in the region. This “middle mile” network will be open to all service providers who want to provide broadband services to unserved citizens. To be successful, the MBI needs your assistance!
A major element required of all applicants is to demonstrate strong demand for broadband service. We would appreciate a letter from you describing your support for the MBI effort; the impact the lack of broadband has on you, your family, your work/business; how improved broadband connectivity would affect you; and its potential benefits.
To be effective, these support letters to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), must not be form letters or in generic terms, but must be specific and individualized. Due to the limited timeframe for the application process, we have provided a few points of guidance to assist you in preparing your letter.
The MBI has asked WesternMA Connect to lead the effort to collect local letters and collaborate with existing broadband committees to assist in the effort. In order to meet the submission deadline, we ask that you complete and return letters to WesternMA Connect by Friday, March 19 in one of three ways:
1) email a word or pdf document with your electronic signature;
2) email a scanned version of your signed letter; or
3) mail the letter by regular mail to:
Sharon Ferry
WesternMA Connect, Inc.
75 South Church Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201 Thank you in advance for your support of this effort and attention to our request. Please feel free to contact Sharon Ferry at sharon@westernmaconnect.org or 413-496-9606 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Dubendorf, WesternMA Connect President Linda Dunlavy, WesternMA Connect Board Member
DO NOT MAIL LETTER DIRECTLY TO ASSISTANT SECRETARY STRICKLING!
March 15, 2010
Larry Strickling Assistant Secretary and Administrator U.S. Department of Commerce / NTIA
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230 Dear Assistant Secretary Strickling: As a resident of the Town of [insert town name], I am writing in support of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s application to Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Grant Program.
[Tell your story -- insert a strong, compelling description of the negative impacts the lack of broadband access has had on you, your family, your work/business and how you will use broadband access once it is available. It is helpful to include specific examples. For businesses, highlighting examples about potential for future business opportunity, job creation, or economic development may be particularly persuasive.]
Thank you for your consideration of this application. [Insert a closing statement] If you need further information, please contact me at [insert telephone number].
Sincerely,
[Insert name]
[Insert mailing address]
|
