Better broadband connectivity can transform a community—both rural and urban. It can help broaden the tax base by giving local businesses access to a global market and introduce new jobs through remote work opportunities. It provides a way for children to connect with educational resources or, often times, simply complete their homework. It gives homebound individuals or senior citizens a …

  The Loft, a co-working space, recently opened in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and those behind the nonprofit venture are inviting you to expand your workspace. “I’m a fairly new full-time resident to the Harbor Springs area, and I’ve been a remote worker in a number of positions throughout my career,” said Bill Mulder, a board member of Harbor, Inc. “Working …

The first-ever Connectedsm community engagement in the state of Pennsylvania launched June 5. Connected Nation has teamed up with The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission with plans to improve the area’s broadband environment, through Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagement Program. This particular project includes eight counties and is the largest Connected Nation community involvement. Connected Nation’s Community Technology Advisor …

The Upton County Broadband Committee is partnering with Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagement Program (Connectedsm) to come up with a plan to improve access to broadband (high-speed internet) in the county. The initial step to developing a comprehensive, countywide plan will consist of a short survey for residents, businesses, agriculture producers, healthcare facilities, and schools. This is an effort to …

Mecosta County, MI. (April 25, 2017) – Ten minutes is all it takes for you to help us better connect Mecosta County. The Mecosta County Broadband Committee has partnered with Connected Nation’s community engagement program, Connected, to come up with a plan to improve everyone’s access to high speed Internet. We’re asking agriculture county residents, local town residents, businesses, librarians, …

Ogemaw County has made it easier for ISPs to extend broadband coverage in the area by going upward. A newly completed vertical assets inventory includes barns, poles, towers, water towers, silos, and other tall structures across 14 townships in Ogemaw County. With this information, ISPs can install broadband infrastructure on tall structures in the area and significantly reduce the investment …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 40% of Americans will work at home in some form by 2020. Harbor Springs is taking advantage of this trend and working preemptively to make the area a hotspot for remote workers. The newly proposed co-working space, under the working title Remote Office/ Home Office or ROHO, will give remote workers of all …

Many small business owners believe cyber security practices and vulnerabilities only apply to big businesses with millions in revenue. However, more and more small businesses are learning the hard way that things like ransomware, password theft, social media hijacking, and cloud storage invasion can cost thousands of dollars and even close doors. Working with cyber security experts, MEDC, and U.S. …

Marketing businesses and economic development agencies are teaming up for a fourth year in Roscommon County, Michigan, to help small businesses strengthen their online marketing skills. The Boost Your Business seminars provide free, hands-on instruction using Facebook and website marketing, giving small and home-based businesses and non-profits the opportunity to hone social media skills and use the latest online marketing …

HarborActive, a community organization promoting technology education in Northern Michigan, is serving up “four courses of wine and four courses of mobile learning” at a new location in Petoskey. Small business owners or individuals can hone their social media skills while mingling with other locals and enjoying unique wines in Harbor Springs and Petoskey. The traditional location, Stafford’s Pier Restaurant …