Monday, April 30, 2007
Brookings Institution Updates Pennsylvania Report
You may recall the furor and controversy that ensued after the publication of the original Brookings Insitution study on public policy challenges in Pennsylvania. This report updates the 2003 report and concludes "that while Pennsylvania's major trends—slow population growth, "hollowing" rural and metropolitan areas, and economic struggles—by and large persist, major policy reform is underway. Ultimately, "Committing to Prosperity" urges Pennsylvania to go beyond incremental adjustments to enact deep, systemic change. The complete report is available at the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy site.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
NW Commission will Host ARC E-Commerce Workshop
The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission will host an Appalachian Regional Commission E-Commerce workshop on June 20-21, 2007. The evening training will be conducted between 5pm and 10pm with a dinner break. The training will emphasize integrating e-commerce into business planning. The training location will be announced soon. -rr
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Massive Outsourcing Presents Telemedicine Business Opportunity
On my second day of work I attended a meeting in Harrisburg where a lobbiest cited a statistic that two-thirds of the radiology readings from Philadelphia hospitals were read in India! It's called "nighthawking" and it is an increasingly common practice as american physicians insist on more regular working schedules.
This week I learned, through the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania newsletter that two Pennsylvania based Radiology groups are no offering advanced radiology services to Pennsylvania hospitals and health care providers as an alternative to out of state and out of country groups. Quantum Imaging and Tristan Associates are offering a Pennsylvania-based teleradiology alternative.
This is just another illustration of the tremendous opportunity afforded by telemedicine. - wrr
This week I learned, through the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania newsletter that two Pennsylvania based Radiology groups are no offering advanced radiology services to Pennsylvania hospitals and health care providers as an alternative to out of state and out of country groups. Quantum Imaging and Tristan Associates are offering a Pennsylvania-based teleradiology alternative.
This is just another illustration of the tremendous opportunity afforded by telemedicine. - wrr
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
USDA Announces $15 Million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
The USDA announced today the availability of $15 million in distance learning and telemedicine (DLT) grants. Grant awards may range from $50,000 - $500,000. The application deadline is June 11.
A grant application guide is available via the USDA website.
Please note, the eligibility criteria emphasize innovation and sustainability. Planning studies, research projects, and short-term demonstration projects of less than two years will not be considered.
If you are aware of organizations or projects that may benefit from this grant program, please contact W. Randy Rice at 814.229.6012 or randyr@nwcommission.org.
A grant application guide is available via the USDA website.
Please note, the eligibility criteria emphasize innovation and sustainability. Planning studies, research projects, and short-term demonstration projects of less than two years will not be considered.
If you are aware of organizations or projects that may benefit from this grant program, please contact W. Randy Rice at 814.229.6012 or randyr@nwcommission.org.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Sting WAN Business Opportunities Discussion
Insert in the Venango Chamber newsletter announces the Oil City Area School District will host a public meeting/discussion about Sting Wide Area Network Business Opportunities on April 24 from 7-8pm. Register by calling 814.676.1867 option 1. -rr
Relief for Rural Health Care
Three weeks into the new job and William Jones has turned me on to some very good news!
Discounts are available to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunications services and monthly Internet service charges. This program was authorized by Congress under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and designed by the Federal Communications Commission to enable rural health care providers to obtain services at rates no higher than their urban counterparts. The 2007 "urban rate" for T1 service in Pennsylvania is $394. So, if a qualified rural health care provider successfully applies to the program, the USAC would pay the difference between your current monthly charge and $394.
In FY2006, only 19 Pennsylvania health care providers availed themselves of the program. At least that many appear to be eligible in just the northwest based on my initial review of the site. I talked with a gentleman this morning at the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) who agreed the program is underutlized in Pennsylvania.
Application criteria and forms are available at the USAC web site.
Randy
Discounts are available to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunications services and monthly Internet service charges. This program was authorized by Congress under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and designed by the Federal Communications Commission to enable rural health care providers to obtain services at rates no higher than their urban counterparts. The 2007 "urban rate" for T1 service in Pennsylvania is $394. So, if a qualified rural health care provider successfully applies to the program, the USAC would pay the difference between your current monthly charge and $394.
In FY2006, only 19 Pennsylvania health care providers availed themselves of the program. At least that many appear to be eligible in just the northwest based on my initial review of the site. I talked with a gentleman this morning at the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) who agreed the program is underutlized in Pennsylvania.
Application criteria and forms are available at the USAC web site.
Randy
BFRR Mailing on Way to Municipalities
We got the following mailing out the door yesterday. It was sent to all municipalities in the region.
Assistance Available to Communities to Obtain High Speed Internet Access
Rural Pennsylvania communities, like [municipality name] are consistently challenged to compete with their more urban neighbors for services that attract people and business to the area, and prevent current residents and existing businesses from leaving. Increasingly, people are basing their decisions about where they live and work based on whether or not high speed internet access (broadband) is available. Many rural communities in Pennsylvania don’t have broadband access at all!
Until recently, there wasn’t much a community in Pennsylvania could do to accelerate broadband deployment in its area. Then, the Governor signed Act 183 and telephone companies across the state have made some aggressive commitments on deploying broadband service.
Act 183 of 2004, commonly referred to as Chapter 30, is a state law instructing some Pennsylvania telephone companies to honor customer petitions to provide Broadband Internet service once certain conditions are met. Specifically:
If 50 customers or 25% of the customers in a designated customer service area, whichever is less, commit to purchase broadband for a minimum of one year, the telephone company must deploy broadband within 365 days.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission recently received a grant from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to assist communities in leveraging the provisions of Act 183 and the BFRR program. The Commission will use the grant to assist communities in Northwest Pennsylvania by:
· Advertising and promoting BFRR assistance
· Recruiting community “sparkplugs” (leaders who will serve as a liaison between the community and the Northwest Commission)
· Coordinating assistance with telephone companies
· Educating the community
· Aggregating broadband customers
· Educating local leadership
The Commission is seeking a sparkplug(s) in the customer service area that includes [municipality name]. Once this person is identified, the Commission will work with them, and the community, to pursue broadband deployment, through the provisions of Act 183, as constructively and expeditiously as possible.
I would be glad to address any questions you might have regarding the BFRR program, and/or other technology initiatives within your community. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience at 814.677.4800 x122 or via e-mail at randyr@nwcommission.org.
Assistance Available to Communities to Obtain High Speed Internet Access
Rural Pennsylvania communities, like [municipality name] are consistently challenged to compete with their more urban neighbors for services that attract people and business to the area, and prevent current residents and existing businesses from leaving. Increasingly, people are basing their decisions about where they live and work based on whether or not high speed internet access (broadband) is available. Many rural communities in Pennsylvania don’t have broadband access at all!
Until recently, there wasn’t much a community in Pennsylvania could do to accelerate broadband deployment in its area. Then, the Governor signed Act 183 and telephone companies across the state have made some aggressive commitments on deploying broadband service.
Act 183 of 2004, commonly referred to as Chapter 30, is a state law instructing some Pennsylvania telephone companies to honor customer petitions to provide Broadband Internet service once certain conditions are met. Specifically:
If 50 customers or 25% of the customers in a designated customer service area, whichever is less, commit to purchase broadband for a minimum of one year, the telephone company must deploy broadband within 365 days.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission recently received a grant from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to assist communities in leveraging the provisions of Act 183 and the BFRR program. The Commission will use the grant to assist communities in Northwest Pennsylvania by:
· Advertising and promoting BFRR assistance
· Recruiting community “sparkplugs” (leaders who will serve as a liaison between the community and the Northwest Commission)
· Coordinating assistance with telephone companies
· Educating the community
· Aggregating broadband customers
· Educating local leadership
The Commission is seeking a sparkplug(s) in the customer service area that includes [municipality name]. Once this person is identified, the Commission will work with them, and the community, to pursue broadband deployment, through the provisions of Act 183, as constructively and expeditiously as possible.
I would be glad to address any questions you might have regarding the BFRR program, and/or other technology initiatives within your community. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience at 814.677.4800 x122 or via e-mail at randyr@nwcommission.org.
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