Monroe Broadband Rally Launches Gigabit Efforts

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on December 14, 2016, No Comments

Emerging region 70 miles from NYC seeking advanced-manufacturing, robotics, coding and health-technology organizations

More than 120 guests from leading organizations in Monroe County rallied together for affordable Gigabit internet technology. The Broadband Rally was hosted by the Monroe 2030 Action Team, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, and East Stroudsburg University. Industry speakers included Dellicker Strategies, Business Information Group, York Exponential and Lewis Strategic.

A state-of-the-art incubator and company-accelerator located on Interstate 80, the East Stroudsburg University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center is located 500 yards from Interstate-80.

The Broadband Rally launched actions to push Monroe County to Gigabit City status. Gigabit City status enables buyers to purchase one Gigabit internet connections for $1000 or less, annually. Already 120 U.S. cities have achieved Gigabit City status and Monroe County hopes to be among the first regions in the NY/NJ/PA tri-state area to deliver $1000 Gigabit.

Monroe County is strategically located at the intersections of Interstate 80, Routes 33, 611, 209 and the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike connecting Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Lehigh Valley, central PA and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

“70 years ago, Monroe County business and government leaders worked together to get interstate highway 80 to run through Monroe,” added Kelly Lewis, of Lewis Strategic. “Now a new generation must do everything possible to get the Gigabit information highway here, as fast as possible, at the most affordable prices in the United States.”

“Young people and companies are moving to Gigabit cities like Chattanooga and St. Louis because of ultra-affordable Gigabit broadband,” Lewis said. “To compete, the Monroe $1000 Gigabit project will require engagement by business and government leaders, at least 23 participating buyers and authorization by the County Commissioners to go-forward to launch the project on January 13th and finish it by May 12th,” he added.

Today’s Broadband rally at East Stroudsburg University featured broadband and innovation industry leaders who offered immediate solutions and strategies to maximize JOBS growth in Monroe County. “We are very pleased to facilitate the Monroe County Broadband Rally,” stated Marcia G. Welsh, Ph. D., President of East Stroudsburg University, “This Rally was designed as a serious wake-up call for leaders in government, business and healthcare to see why $1000 Gigabit broadband is essential for companies and citizens, and what immediate steps need to be taken to position Monroe County to create JOBS in the new economy.”

Monroe Broadband Rally speakers included:

  • John McElligott, President, The Fortress Initiative and CEO, The Fortress Academy and York Exponential

o   Embracing Disruption

  • Kevin Dellicker, Dellicker Strategies, LLC (Their work last year helped 50+ schools improve academic achievement by 20%)

o   Why $1000 Gigabit Matters

  • Kelly Lewis, Lewis Strategic (recently led Pennsylvania Gigabit Revolution with 265 participating organizations, and Philadelphia Acceleration Summit)

o   The Monroe County $1000 Gigabit Acceleration Project

Monroe Broadband Rally greetings and introductions were provided by:

  • Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., President, East Stroudsburg University
  • Mario Scavello, Senator, Pennsylvania State Senate, 40thSenatorial District
  • Chuck Leonard,Executive Director, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation

Organizations interested in $1000 Gigabit are being asked to complete a brief survey by visiting https://goo.gl/forms/4LQakQXtOnvrU2yz1 in order to become a participant. Future Monroe County $1000 Gigabit meetings are scheduled for 2017: January 13, February 13, March 13, April 13, and May 12, 2017. David Parker will serve as a local point of contact for Monroe County participating organizations. David may be reached at dparker18301@gmail.com or 570.656.9232.

For additional information on how to participate and keep posted on future meetings and events, follow Accelerate Pennsylvania on Twitter @AcceleratePenna and on Facebook @AcceleratePA.