How Will the Future of Work Impact Rural Communities? Learn How at Rural Telecom Congress Next Week

DALLAS, April 25, 2017 - What kind of workplaces and economic environment are rural areas likely to experience in the future?

At the Rural Telecommunications Congress program here at the 2017 Broadband Communities Summit next week, two of the sessions on Wednesday, May 3, will feature address that question. First, we'll hear a "case study" about what's working in economic development in Appalachia, and an exciting panel session on the role of fiber and co-working in expanding technology opportunities, including rural regions.

REGISTER TODAY to attend the RTC sessions by using the Rural Telecommunications Code discount code of RTC350.

From 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., Eric Ogle of the Rural Telecommunications Congress Board will moderate a session on "Broadband is the New Coal," and feature the perspectives of the Appalachian Regional Commission, plus projects in Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and elsewhere.

With a broad portfolio to serve a heavily rural area of the country, the commission has been actively engaged in ensuring that broadband is considered as part of economic development activities, and Manager Mark DeFalco will speak to this subject, along with other panelists.

Later in the afternoon on Wednesday, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Gene Crick, also of the RTC Board, will moderate a panel co-hosted by both the RTC and the leaders of the summit's economic development track.

Centered around the theme of "Fiber Based Incubators and Tech Hives," this afternoon session will consider how innovative communities are using fiber economic development tools to launch incubators that cultivate and support new businesses. The discussion will feature:

• Robert Wack – City Council President, Westminster, MD
• Matt Schmit, University of Minnesota
• Dennis Donohue – Lead, Center for Innovation & Technology, Western Growers; Former Mayor, Salinas, CA
• Gabriel Garcia – Director & Senior Counsel, CPS Energy

For additional information about other session in the RTC program, please visit http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2017/04/register-to-attend-the-rural-telecommunications-congress-program-at-broadband-communities-summit.

REGISTER TODAY to attend the RTC sessions by using the Rural Telecommunications Code discount code of RTC350. This registration code entitles you to the lowest possible rate to attend not only the RTC sessions, but the entire Broadband Communities Summit program. The $350 costs is about one-third of the standard ticket price.

(Illustration in the public domain from UNC Libraries Common.)