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Article filed under Waste to Wealth, Zero Waste & Economic Development | Written by Neil Seldman | No Comments | Updated on Mar 22, 2013

Working Partner Update: City of Refuge

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/city-refuge-bioponica-venture/

The City of Refuge, (COR), was founded in 1970 to provide hope and assistance to residents of challenged neighborhoods in the middle of Atlanta. COR serves over 10,000 people annually from its 8-acre campus, including short-term transitional shelter for women and children. COR also hosts a 6th-8th grade academy for students from at-risk communities and… Continue reading

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Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Mar 22, 2013

Susan Osborne and Boulder’s Clean Energy Takeover: Episode 5 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/susan-osborne-boulders-clean-energy-takeover-episode-5-local-energy-rules-podcast/

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell and Wade Underwood talk with Susan Osborne, the former Mayor of Boulder, CO, about that city’s effort to take control of its energy future. Thanks to Susan’s leadership and the vision of Boulder’s citizens, the city adopted a ballot measure in the fall of 2011 to… Continue reading

palo-alto-mayor-calls-for-expansion-of-muni-fiber-system-to-secure-citys-future
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 22, 2013

Palo Alto Mayor Calls for Expansion of Muni Fiber System to Secure City’s Future

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/palo-alto-mayor-calls-expansion-muni-fiber-system-secure-citys-future

“Fiber is the key to assuring Palo Alto’s long-term position as the Leading Digital City of the Future” That was Palo Alto Mayor Greg Scharff who was giving his State of the City Address at Tesla Motors in February. Mayor Scharff described 2013 as “the year of the future” for Palo Alto, with technology and… Continue reading

open-access-network-in-mount-vernon-washington-created-more-jobs-and-government-savings
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 21, 2013

Open Access Network in Mount Vernon, Washington Created More Jobs and Government Savings

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/open-access-network-mount-vernon-washington-created-more-jobs-and-government-savings

Mount Vernon, Washington, started building their own fiber optic network in 1995 and over the past 18 years have continued to add incrementally. While the network started as a way to connect a few municipal facilities, it has since expanded to nearby Burlington and the Port of Skagit. The network now serves government, schools, hospitals… Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Mar 20, 2013

Two Ways Americans May Get More Ownership of their Energy Future

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ways-americans-ownership-energy-future/

Three years ago, the prospects for Americans to own their energy future seemed relatively bleak. There were almost no replicable models for doing community-based energy projects or investment, despite falling costs and technology – solar and wind – that lend themselves to local development. But thanks to recent opportunities in community solar and crowdfunding, we… Continue reading

virginia-town-provides-free-wi-fi-in-city-park-fiber-to-community-anchors
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 20, 2013

Virginia Town Provides Free Wi-fi in City Park, Fiber to Community Anchors

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/virginia-town-provides-free-wi-fi-city-park-fiber-community-anchors

Last summer, the city of Staunton, Virginia, sent out a press release about its new citywide free wi-fi service. Four hours later, a destructive storm ripped through Gypsy Hill Park knocking down trees and damaging buildings. Nevertheless, the equipment held on. Five days later, celebrants at the city’s July 4th party used the free service… Continue reading

in-washington-mt-vernon-attracts-businesses-with-open-access-network-community-broadband-bits-episode-38
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Mar 19, 2013

In Washington, Mt. Vernon Attracts Businesses with Open Access Network – Community Broadband Bits Episode 38

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/washington-mt-vernon-attracts-businesses-open-access-network-community-broadband-bits

Nearly 20 years ago, a small community between Seattle and Bellingham, Washington, began building a fiber optic network to connect key municipal facilities. In the years since, Mt Vernon has expanded the network to many community anchor institutions and businesses locally, including in two nearby towns. Information Systems Director Kim Kleppe and Community & Economic… Continue reading

cedar-falls-utility-gets-high-bond-rating-from-moodys
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Mar 19, 2013

Cedar Falls Utility Gets High Bond Rating from Moody’s

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/cedar-falls-utility-gets-high-bond-rating-moodys

We have long been impressed with Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU) in Iowa. They built an incredibly successful municipal cable network that has now been upgraded to a FTTH network. CFU transfers $1.6 million into the town’s general fund every year, reminding us that community owned networks often pay far more in taxes than the national… Continue reading

video-burlington-telecom-coop-effort-moving-ahead
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 18, 2013

Video: Burlington Telecom Coop Effort Moving Ahead

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/video-burlington-telecom-coop-effort-moving-ahead

In December, 2012, a group of local residents decided to engage in an effort to turn beleaguered Burlington Telecom into a coop. The effort has advanced and the organization, Keep BT Local, continues to gain pledges. To date, the organization has collected pledges in the amount of $108,000 for equity and $156,000 in loan pledges…. Continue reading

to-improve-minnesota-broadband-look-to-lessons-of-electrification
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Mar 16, 2013

To Improve Minnesota Broadband, Look to Lessons of Electrification

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/improve-minnesota-broadband-look-lessons-electrification

Steve Downer is the Associate Executive Director of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, MMUA, and he previously served on the Blandin Foundation Strategy Board. He offered these thoughts on page 4 of the “The Resource” [pdf] from January 2013 and has allowed us to reprint them below. According to online reports, House Commerce Chairman Joe… Continue reading