August 24, 2011
“Broadband as an Economic Engine: Job Creator, Connector and Driver of Rural Development
What: Press Teleconference hosted by the Internet Innovation Alliance
When: Wednesday, August 24th at 2:00pm ET
Where: Dial-in (RSVP for call-in information)
Why: Explore the impact of expanded mobile broadband on jobs and
This press teleconference engaged political analysts, economists, economic development experts and small business owners in a dialogue that explored broadband technology’s role as a job creator and connector of jobseekers, employers and employees. Teleconference speakers shared ideas on how expanding next-generation mobile broadband will affect economic development, particularly in rural areas. The discussion also addressed public sector initiatives targeted at job creation, such as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s new launch of a program to create 100,000 call center jobs through the expansion of broadband, and private sector moves like AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile, which will create as many as 96,000 jobs, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Speakers included:
- Jamal Simmons (moderator), co-chairman of the IIA, political commentator for CNN and CBS News
- Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute, founder of Visible Economy LLC, president of South Mountain Economics, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School’s Mack Center for Technological Innovation, formerly chief economist at BusinessWeek
- Jon Troen, Managing Partner at Catchfire Media, President and CEO of Colorfx and Rock Communications (small business owner in Des Moines, Iowa)
- Corey Mehaffy, President of Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation in rural Missouri (responsible for all economic development efforts including business retention & expansion, business attraction and entrepreneurship)