Latest news with #ConnectedNation
Malaysian Reserve
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Building education equity: New study highlights Digital Divide among children in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Connected Nation Michigan and Tribal leaders assess broadband and computer access in households with children SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation Michigan (CN Michigan), with support from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has released a new study examining how the Digital Divide impacts Tribal households with children in northern Michigan. The report, titled 'Building Education Equity: Understanding the Digital Divide among Children in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians,' analyzes data from a 2023 survey of Tribal member households. It focuses on computer ownership and internet access — two vital tools for educational success — and reveals that while many families are connected, significant gaps remain for others. 'Broadband and computers are no longer optional. They are essential for a child's education,' said Chris McGovern, Director of Research Development, Connected Nation and CN Michigan. 'This study shows how the Tribe continues its leadership in this work to close the Digital Divide.' In 2023, CN Michigan surveyed 940 member households in collaboration with Tribal leadership. The findings among households with children showed the following key findings: 84% of Tribal households with children have both a computer and home internet access. 16% fall into the Digital Divide: 7% do not own a computer. 6% do not subscribe to home internet. 3% lack both a computer and internet service. In households earning more than $35,000 annually, 93% have internet and 94% own a computer. In households earning less than $35,000, those numbers drop to 83% and 75%, respectively. The Tribe has already taken several steps to improve connectivity by securing a Rural Development Broadband ReConnect grant and a National Tribal Broadband Grant, which is aimed at building fiber networks and evaluating broadband infrastructure. Additionally, outreach about the now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helped many families reduce costs and obtain discounted devices. However, with the end of that federal program, the search for alternative options is ongoing. The report also provides some recommendations and next steps. They include: Continue broadband deployment and infrastructure investment on Tribal lands. Increase access to affordable devices through awareness campaigns and funding programs. Explore creative solutions to ensure that everyone has access to affordable home broadband service, particularly in rural and Tribal areas. To download and read the full report, click here. About Connected Nation: Founded in 2001, the national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at About the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians:Sault Tribe is a 44,000-strong federally recognized Indian Tribe that is an economic, social, and cultural force in its community across the eastern Upper Peninsula counties of Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta, and Marquette. The Tribe comprises housing and Tribal centers, casinos, and other enterprises that employ both Natives and non-Natives and fund Tribal programs.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita to host first internet ‘airport' in Kansas
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A new internet project near Wichita State University is expected to bring faster, more reliable service to homes, schools, and businesses throughout south-central Kansas. On Thursday, Wichita State leaders joined state officials and representatives from the nonprofit Connected Nation to break ground on Kansas's first 'carrier-neutral' Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The facility, which will be located across from WSU's Eck Stadium, is expected to be completed by spring 2026. 'We're committed to solving the digital divide in all its expressions,' Tom Ferree, the chairman and CEO of Connected Nation, said. Ferree explained that although many people think they're already using local internet, much of that traffic is actually routed through cities like Denver or Kansas City. The new internet hub will help local networks connect directly with major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Netflix, which will improve speeds and reduce delays, especially during high-demand times. 'Our intention is to establish the first carrier-neutral internet exchange point in Kansas—one of 14 states that does not currently have one,' Ferree said. The project is funded by a $5 million grant from the State of Kansas. It is designed to benefit Wichita and rural areas that often struggle with slower or more expensive internet access. 'This is no different than when the internet first came,' Tonya Witherspoon, the associate vice president of workforce development and industry engagement at WSU, said. 'The changes this will offer to our community and our state—I'm very excited for what this provides us in infrastructure.' Witherspoon said the IXP will work like an airport for internet traffic, reducing the number of 'hops' data has to make by keeping it closer to home. Kansas universities' tuition going up 'Right now in Kansas, all of our data traffic takes 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 hops to get to where it needs to go—and the first hop is out of the state,' she said. 'So every time you're on your computer sending data anywhere, the first transmission is outside of the state—even if you are trying to send something within the state.' Once complete, the new exchange will help internet providers operate more efficiently, lower costs, and give users a faster, more secure experience. 'This opens the market for, you know, a lot more internet service providers to have direct connections and not have to pay for more transport fees and all of that,' Witherspoon said. 'Plus, this will mean that content networks and other large hyperscalers will want to put their data closest to our IEP.' The Wichita facility will be operated by Connected Nation, which does not sell internet service but instead manages connections between providers. 'Their only job here is to provide interconnection—just to create the handshakes that are needed for data to exchange hands,' Witherspoon said. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
14 wins and counting: Connected Nation is again named among the Best Places to Work as it tackles closing the Digital Divide
BOWLING GREEN, Ky., March 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 14th time, Connected Nation (CN) is named among the Best Places to Work by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KYSHRM). CN is a national nonprofit, based in Bowling Green, Ky., that works with local, state, and federal leaders to close the Digital Divide by providing innovative solutions for expanding broadband (high-speed internet) access, adoption, and use to ALL people. "Being recognized as one of the best places to work is a testament to the dedication and passion of our incredible team," said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. "It's not just about creating a great environment; it's about fostering a culture where every individual can thrive, innovate, and feel valued. This achievement is a reflection of the collective effort we put in every day to make our company a place where people are not only proud to work but are empowered to do their best work. " The selection process is based on an assessment of each company's policies and procedures and the results of an internal survey where employees provide anonymous feedback on company culture, benefits, and more. Winners are placed in three categories: small, medium, and large companies. CN falls into the small employer category (15 to 149 U.S. employees), which this year is a list of 45 companies. The official rankings of those companies will be announced during a celebration on Thursday, May 22. The highest ranking CN has received is 5th in the small company category. "This honor is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to nurturing a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and inspired every day," said Melanie Hatfield, Human Resources Manager, CN. "We believe that when our people are happy, engaged, and empowered, they bring their best selves to work—and that's what drives our success." This is the 21st year for the Best Places to Work in Kentucky competition. The alphabetical list of all the 2025 unranked winners can be found by clicking here. The rankings in each business category will be announced on May 22 during an awards dinner held at the Center Bank Center located in Lexington, Ky. About Connected Nation: The national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Connected Nation Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas Senate bill voids racist housing covenant on Wichita State University land
Tom Cox, representing the internet exchange point developer Connected Nation, asked a Kansas Senate committee to approve bill nullifying racist covenants on property owned by Wichita State University and earmarked for development of an internet project in Wichita. The committee sent the bill to the full Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate committee approved bipartisan legislation Tuesday voiding racist covenants restricting ownership and occupancy of single-family residences on land owned by Wichita State University on the edge of campus. The 1.3-acre parcel was acquired by WSU in the 1950s, but discriminatory text attached to the title wasn't revealed until August 2024 when a company prepared to take possession of the property for construction of a facility to speed broadband connections. The Senate Local Government, Transparency and Ethics Committee approved Senate Bill 194 without dissent. Tom Cox, vice president at Connected Nation and a former state legislator, said the nonprofit was working with a $5 million state grant to build the internet exchange station. But, he said, the project in Wichita hit a roadblock because neighborhood covenants written between Jan. 1, 1948, and Dec. 31, 1958, required construction of single-family housing at that location and limited occupancy along racial lines. 'We discovered there was an egregiously racist and restrictive covenant from the 1950s that the university did not know when they purchased this parcel,' Cox said. 'Unfortunately, racially restrictive covenants are fairly common in that time period.' He said Connected Nation and Wichita State University were 'morally opposed to any racist covenant.' Research indicated passage of a state law was the most efficient method of eradicating the covenant and allowing WSU to designate the ground for a project of public benefit, Cox said. The racist language was woven so thoroughly into the title's amendments the covenant wouldn't otherwise be open for revision until 2030 and dozens of absentee landowners would have to sign notarized documents to advance that process, he said. Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican and chair of the Senate committee, said the bill was drafted to void the covenant before July 1. She indicated she was surprised the offensive covenant hadn't been discovered long ago. 'We will get this moving as quickly as we can because we understand how important this is to Wichita State University,' she said. Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton, said he was the parent of a Wichita State student and was familiar with the Wichita property at 21st Street and Fountain Avenue subject to the covenant. A portion of the WSU property was used for construction of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. 'I support this bill,' he said. 'I think it's great.' Connected Nation entered into an agreement to lease the land from WSU to build the state's first internet exchange point, which would serve as an essential connection among internet service providers, content delivery networks, cloud providers and enterprises for the exchange of internet traffic. Lack of such a facility in central Kansas meant internet traffic from all over the state had to run through Kansas City, Missouri, before reaching its destination, Cox said. The nonprofit secured a $5 million grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce for the project. WSU donated a 40-year land lease to Connected Nation in exchange for free access to the new internet exchange point. The Senate bill cast the covenant repeal broadly to include comparable situations if discovered at University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. Nathan Madden, of the Health Forward Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri, endorsed the Senate bill because it aligned with the foundation's mission of building inclusive and healthy communities. 'We support this legislation as it would statutorily align court rulings on the prohibition of racially restrictive covenants,' Madden said. 'It is a meaningful symbolic step in acknowledging the significant detrimental impacts from segregated living spaces.' He said the legislation would adhere to U.S. Supreme Court decisions striking down the practice of 'redlining' in cities to segregate residents by race. The legacy of redlining continued as neighborhoods previously designated for minority residents had less green space, more pollution and greater health challenges related to asthma, he said. In 2024, the Legislature approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill that made it easier for Kansas homeowners to remove racist language from property records. Covenants often inserted into home association deeds excluded Black and Jewish people from certain neighborhoods. That legislation was the result of the cities of Roeland Park and Prairie Village struggling to remove covenants from records.
