Big players meet Tuesday on broadband in county

RBC I A public presentation on broadband telecommunications will be hosted at Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Weiss Conference Center on Tuesday at noon.
“All interested individuals and organizations are invited and welcome to attend to learn how high speed fiber optic digital broadband telecommunications can positively impact Rio Blanco County residents and greatly enhance economic development and heritage tourism” according to CNCC President Russell George and Peg Rector, chair of the Net Group that is co-sponsoring the event.
The event is to join technical experts, government officials, businesses, broadband service providers, community coalitions and local citizens in a forum to develop the best and most useful comprehensive solutions and plans to rapidly and effectively provide optimal broadband services.
Audrey Danner, the coordinator of the Northwest Colorado Local Technology Planning Team (LTPT) for broadband connectivity and the executive director of the Economic Development Partnership will be moderator.
Frank Ohrtman, a nationally renowned broadband telecommunications consultant will be featured speaker and moderator of discussions on development of a comprehensive broadband telecommunications turnkey system that can deliver affordable, abundant, redundant high speed digital telecommunications access for rural and local residents throughout Rio Blanco County.
A panel discussion will feature a variety of broadband providers and experts including Richard Welle, general manager of White River Electric Association, and invited representatives from broadband providers such as Tri-State Generation, Strata, Union Wireless, Eagle Net, Century Link and others. They are expected to be in attendance or participating via teleconference call.
Broadband coalition groups from other Colorado counties and communities will also participate. County and local government information technology directors and elected and administrative officials will be in attendance as well.
For persons unable to attend in person, a toll-free conference call number that hosts multiple callers to hear and/or participate in the presentations will be provided to those who register.
Registration is required to provide adequate seating and a count for a light luncheon and to join the conference call.
There is no cost to participate, but RSVPs must be called in by Friday to conference coordinator Becky Dubbert at CNCC at 970-675-3301) or email [email protected].