Learn how cities are using broadband to attract entrepreneurs

On April 18, 1313 Innovation and the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration will host an event focused on broadband connectivity and the effect it has on economic development. The event is called “Harnessing Technology for Place-Based Economic Development.”
Two speakers are on deck for the evening: Troy Mix, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware, and Sarah Kackar, Planning Practice Manager at Vienna, Va.-based consultancy Vita Nuova. We’ve spoken with Mix a few times, though most recently we talked about (yup) the connection between economic development and infrastructure.
The event itself is geared towards planners, public officials “and all those interested in economic development.” The information sent out indicates that participants will learn about the following:

• Emerging urban and rural practices in the use of technology to spur economic development and improve residents’ quality of life.
• Delaware’s standing on measures of broadband connectivity and technology-driven economic development.
• How five rural communities used broadband as a tool for revitalizing small-town Main Streets.
• Implementing place-based planning strategies to market and grow rural economies.

We first got word of the event from Mix, but we also spoke with downstate tech advocate Rob Nicholson, Director of Business Development at SecureNetMD, last week at our NET/WORK jobs fair specifically about it. Nicholson told us that governments should perhaps consider looking to private businesses for help when it comes to the success of broadband-based initiatives. “In public-private partnerships,” he explained, “businesses should bring their industry ‘seagoing’ experiences and public agencies should identify their unique navigation points.” A great analogy that illustrates the diversity in skills offered by both sides.
Get smarter about economic development, head to this event. It runs from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on April 18 at 1313 Innovation in Wilmington. Tickets for the event are $20, and the deadline to register is April 11.
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