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Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

The End of the Post Office as a Public Institution?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/post-office-public-institution/

“When the post office is closed, the flag comes down.  When the human side of government closes its doors, we’re all in trouble.”   Senator Jennings Randolph (West Virginia) 1958-85 For the post office the end game is on.  This year the post office will close half its processing centers.  By late spring a first… Continue reading

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Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

Whatcha Workin’ On, John Farrell? Podcast Episode 2

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/whatcha-workin-on-podcast-2/

In our second episode of Whatcha Workin’ On? Lisa Gonzalez interviews John Farrell, Director of the Democratic Energy Program at ILSR. John describes the program and gives us an update on current and future projects, including some ground breaking proposals that can transform the way local communities can obtain or create the energy they need…. Continue reading

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Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/2013-independent-business-survey/

ILSR’s annual survey has found that independent businesses experienced solid revenue growth in 2012, buoyed in part by “buy local first” initiatives. But the survey also documented challenges facing independent businesses, most notably an increase in “showrooming” and competition from online retailers, tax and subsidy policies that favor their big competitors, difficulty obtaining loans, and a customer base still reeling from the recession. Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

UC2B in Urbana-Champaign Tackles Digital Divide With Network Revenue

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/uc2b-urbana-champaign-tackles-digital-divide-network-revenue

The UC2B project broke ground in the fall of 2011 and is a joint effort by the cities of Urbana and Champaign and the University of Illinois. The project is funded with a $22.5 million federal stimulus grant, a $3 million grant from the state of Illinois, and a list of other grants from local agencies. From… Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

Utility “Gets Ready” for More Local Energy in Hawai’i

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/utility-action-means-local-energy-hawaii/

Hawai’an solar advocates are celebrating this week after the island state’s largest utility, Hawai’ian Electric (HECO) filed a plan with the public utility commission to take a “proactive approach” to adding more distributed solar to their grid system. Utilities across the country typically use “conservative blanket limits” on the amount of renewable energy allowed on… Continue reading

Watershed Picture from BMP Flyer
Featured Article filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

MD Seminar on Compost BMPs for Watershed Protection

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/md-seminar-compost-bmps-watershed-protection/

Tools exist that can remove up to 96% of stormwater pollutants. Are you interested? Attend this FREE seminar on March 5, 2013, to learn how compost-based BMPs can dramatically reduce sediment and targeted pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay. ILSR has partnered with local watershed and organizations to sponsor this event. Scientists from Filtrexx International and… Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

The Five Fundamentals for Future Telecommunications – Community Broadband Bits Podcast #32

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/five-fundamentals-future-telecommunications-community-broadband-bits-podcast-32

Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Public Knowledge, is back on Community Broadband Bits to discuss five fundamental rules necessary to ensure we have a great telecommunications system that benefits everyone. Harold first appeared on our show in episode 23. Harold explains the Five Fundamentals here and includes a link to their full filing [pdf]…. Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

Chelan Public Utility District To Restore Fiber After Storm Damage

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/chelan-public-utility-district-restore-fiber-after-storm-damage

In the week before Christmas, Mother Nature sent a powerful winter storm to Chelan County in Washington. Hundreds of trees along the south shore of Lake Wenatchee came down, causing extensive electrical and fiber outages. According to the Chelan PUD, most electrical customers have had power restored, but Internet, phone, and TV services dependent on… Continue reading

Radio Microphone with On Air
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 4, 2013

Christopher Mitchell Interviewed For streets.mn Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/christopher-mitchell-interviewed-streets-mn-podcast/

Christopher Mitchell was recently interviewed by Bill Lindeke from streets.mn. Bill, a PhD Candidate in Geography, published the podcast as part of the streets.mn blog. He wanted to talk to Christopher about the work at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Bill discussed fiber optic infrastructure investment in the U.S. and touched on the Minneapolis City… Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 4, 2013

Franklin Municipal FiberNET Spurs Economic Development, Serves Government, in Kentucky

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/franklin-municipal-fibernet-spurs-economic-development-serves-government-kentucky

Franklin, Kentucky expects to see more positive economic growth when it launches its new fiber optic network. According to an article in the Bowling Green Daily News, the south central community is ready for the upgrade: “We are super excited about it,” said James McCaslin, associate vice president of academic affairs and director of Franklin-Simpson… Continue reading