published: Sunday, August 22, 2010

FREDI lands $24 million grant

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Almost 100 community leaders gathered at the Four Points Sheraton next to the Sebring Airport on Friday to toast the hard work of those responsible for landing a $24 million grant that could put more in Highlands County back to work.

"Supporting long-term, sustainable economic growth in Florida's heartland is the priority," said Lynn Topel, executive director of Florida's Rural Economic Development Initiative (FREDI) as she raised her glass to those present.

The grant will go towards establishing a broadband Internet infrastructure that will include both wireless and optic fiber throughout central and northwest Florida.

According to the grant application, the money will allow the rural communities like Hardee, Hendry, DeSoto, Glades, and Okeechobee counties to tap into and share Level 3 access to the Internet.

FREDI allied with Opportunity Florida, which represents Clahoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties, in order to secure the grant, Topel told those gathered.

It is sort of like tapping into the main line for water instead of having to rely several smaller pipes to carry the water to you, according to Topel.

"A lot of Internet superhighways travel through central Florida, but there were no off ramps in the rural areas," Topel said in a phone interview on Thursday.

"This should help us in recruiting businesses to the area, and the project will create jobs," she said.

The connection will also be an opportunity to allow access to the government and the hospitals, and will provide a connection to local Internet providers who resale to the public at large.

"Hospitals need this kind of service to send medical records and x-rays. By 2012 they have to comply with government standards for medical record transmission," Topel said.

According to a White House press release on Wednesday, "these investments in high-speed Internet infrastructure will help bridge the technological divide in communities that are being left in the 20th century economy and support improvements in education, healthcare, and public safety."

The announcement, made by Vice President Joe Biden, was part of an investment totaling $1.8 billion, is part of a nearly $7 billion Recovery Act initiative.

"That means that those living in the included counties will no long have to struggle to gain bandwidth to connect, but will actually be a part of the Internet. Today's investment in broadband technology will create jobs across the country and expand opportunities for millions of Americans and American companies. In addition to bringing 21st century infrastructure to undeserved communities and rural areas, these investments will begin to harness the power of broadband to improve education, health care, and public safety," said Vice President Biden. "The awards are another great example of how the Recovery Act is creating jobs upfront, while also building a foundation for sustainable job creation and global competitiveness."