The Internet has revolutionized every part of our lives – from telecommuting to refilling prescriptions to reserving books at the library.

And Kentucky is doing its part to make sure that its citizens enjoy the life changing applications associated with high-speed broadband networks. In 2004, Kentucky charged the non-profit organization ConnectKentucky with bringing broadband to every home in the state by the end of 2007. A tough challenge? You bet. But Kentucky now stands at 93% availability—up from 60% when they started in late 2004. That phenomenal growth comes thanks to private sector investments and private-public partnerships.

The results of the ConnectKentucky initiative are impressive. Here’s what ConnectKentucky can boast about. In addition to reaching more than half a million previously unserved households with broadband:

• Kentucky has led the nation by increasing broadband use at home by 73 percent.
• Business broadband Internet use has risen to 85 percent from 65 percent.
• Houses with computers are up 20 percent (compared with a national growth rate of 4 percent)
• Private companies have invested more than $ 668 million in private capital.

And now ConnectKentucky is receiving its just due. The U.S. Economic Development Administration recently gave the initiative its Excellence in Innovation Award.

ConnectKentucky’s objectives and success have also drawn the attention and support of organizations such as the Alliance for Public Technology and the Communications Workers of America. Recently, the research economist for the CWA spoke at an APT-sponsored forum for Congressional staff on the need for a national effort modeled on ConnectKentucky to stimulate universal deployment and adoption of high-speed networks and services. ConnectKentucky is a roadmap of how public-private partnerships can bring broadband and its life-improving applications into the homes of all Americans.

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