U.S. Chamber Brings Connect! Tour to Kentucky

Program Vaulted Kentucky to Top of Nation's List for Broadband Availability

LOUISVILLE, KY— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Connected Nation's Connect! tour rolled into Louisville today to promote the benefits of broadband connectivity to education, healthcare, agriculture, business and the nation's economy.

"Sound broadband policies are critical for the economic success of American businesses," said Bill Kovacs, the U.S. Chamber's vice president of Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs. "Our goal is to make sure lawmakers, businesses, and consumers recognize the opportunities that come with expanding broadband."

The Chamber-sponsored event featured speeches by Kentucky Education Cabinet Secretary Helen Mountjoy and President & CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Dave Adkisson. A keynote panel included the Kentucky Office of Technology, Greater Louisville, Inc., ConnectKentucky, Humana, and other regional businesses and organizations. The discussion highlighted the impact of broadband on economic development, U.S. global competitiveness, telemedicine, and education.

"Deployment of broadband technology has already made a tremendous impact in Kentucky," Kovacs said. "ConnectKentucky became the model for Connected Nation and helped the state improve broadband availability from 60% of households in 2004, the lowest level in the nation, to 95% percent by the end of last year—the highest level in the nation."

The U.S. Chamber believes that public-private partnerships, like Connected Nation, are the answer to fostering U.S. broadband deployment and adoption and will continue to support the Connect! tour in the coming months.

For more information on the Connect! tour, visit: www.connectednation.org/ or www.uschamber.com/connect.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com/

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