The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of communities that will participate in the Cool & Connected planning assistance program, an innovative initiative to help people use broadband service for downtown revitalization and economic development.
Partner communities will receive direct technical assistance from a team of experts to develop strategies and an action plan for using planned or existing broadband service to create connected, economically vibrant main streets and small-town neighborhoods.
Tullahoma will receive technical assistance to market downtown Tullahoma as a free Wi-Fi zone and develop a physical work-share space to complement new infrastructure investments, and add to the growth of downtown businesses.
“The expertise that this grant will bring to the table will help Tullahoma better utilize its gigabit fiber to the premise network to grow jobs and improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors.” Brian Skelton, General Manager of Tullahoma Utilities Board.
Through this Cool and Connected process, we will not only explore assistance to market downtown as a Wi-Fi zone and work-share space, but we will also look to develop a plan for our other target sectors that include aerospace, medical, retail and technology. We will be inviting the partners that represent these sectors to join in this process that is scheduled for late September,” said City of Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee.
Obama Administration to Help Tullahoma Revitalize Downtown through Broadband
