Formerly known at the Alliance for Public Technology, the group announced their re-launch last week as the National Broadband Resource Center, which will focus on the important issue of expanding and developing broadband adoption, particularly by underserved communities.  NBRC hopes to address what they see as a major gap in national policy – promoting broadband awareness, adoption and innovation among non-profits, small government agencies and vulnerable populations, such as low-income, rural, minority, older adults and those with disabilities.

The announcement was commemorated at the National Education Association last week with an afternoon program where a variety of technology companies and consumer organizations shared their perspectives on the NBRC’s updated mission.  Immediately after that, there was an evening reception to present the Susan G. Hadden Awards for 2009.  Honorees included:

• The Honorable James Clyburn, U. S. House of Representatives (D-SC)
• Judith Harkins, Gallaudet University
• Mark Lloyd, Federal Communications Commission

Important voices in the broadband adoption dialogue are applauding the re-launch. “The NBRC, drawing upon the distinguished history of the Alliance for Public Technology in bringing together organizations with a commitment to using technology to improve the lives of their constituencies, is the ideal group to fill this need,” said Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen.

Dr. Max Stachura, Director of the Center for Telehealth at Medical College of Georgia and a former APT President added, “APT’s twenty years of experience working to ensure that high-speed broadband networks and services are available to all Americans bodes well for the NBRC being a resource and connecting point for academics, non-profits, industry and government agencies as well as a catalyst for the development of innovative and affordable services.”

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