The Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s podcast to break monopoly power.
Helping Communities Achieve True Self-Determination
Weekly interviews focused on community owned networks and Internet policy.
This bi-weekly podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares powerful stories of local renewable energy, from mayors discussing their city’s commitment to 100% renewable energy to tales of innovative community owned solar to questions about the the best rooftop solar policy. Join host John Farrell, the director of the Institute’s Energy Democracy Initiative, as he asks if the 100-year-old monopoly market structure for electricity delivery makes sense in an on-demand, distributed ...
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Building a Network to Build a Network in Southwest Michigan – Episode 449 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
36:19
36:19
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36:19
We don’t often get to spend a whole episode diving into the earliest work that communities do to set the foundation for progress in expanding high-quality broadband access down the road, but that’s what we’re talking about today. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by Pierrette Renée Dagg, Director of Marketing and Communications for the…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Building a Network to Build a Network in Southwest Michigan – Episode 449 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
36:19
36:19
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36:19
We don’t often get to spend a whole episode diving into the earliest work that communities do to set the foundation for progress in expanding high-quality broadband access down the road, but that’s what we’re talking about today. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by Pierrette Renée Dagg, Director of Marketing and Communications for the…
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Local Energy Rules


1
Should Big Utilities Pay for Their Bad Choices?
51:03
51:03
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51:03
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, republished from ILSR’s Building Local Power podcast, host John Farrell and guest Leslie Glustrom discuss utility accountability and how to equitably transition to clean energy.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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North Carolina’s Broadband Preemption Law Means Leaving Money on the Table – Bonus Episode 12 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
30:01
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30:01
For the twelfth episode of our bonus series, “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re joined by North Carolina League of Municipalities Chief Legislative Council Erin Wynia to talk about Internet access in the state a full year into the COVID 19 pandemic, and the access gaps experienced in towns across the eastern part of the state. Erin shares with Chris…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
North Carolina’s Broadband Preemption Law Means Leaving Money on the Table – Bonus Episode 12 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
30:01
30:01
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30:01
For the twelfth episode of our bonus series, “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re joined by North Carolina League of Municipalities Chief Legislative Council Erin Wynia to talk about Internet access in the state a full year into the COVID 19 pandemic, and the access gaps experienced in towns across the eastern part of the state. Erin shares with Chris…
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Building Local Power


1
How Recycling and Reuse Created Thousands of Jobs and a $1 Billion Boost to Austin's Economy
43:59
43:59
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43:59
Gena McKinley of Austin, Texas, discusses the economic and environmental benefits of the city's Circular Economy Program — including highlights from a recent economic impact report that found it resulted in more than $1.1 billion in total economic activity and approximately 6,300 permanent jobs.… Read More…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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“This Isn’t a Game:” The RDOF Auction, Unforced Errors, and Getting Infrastructure Funding Right – Episode 448 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
53:05
53:05
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53:05
The conclusion of the RDOF auction was met with a good deal of drama and uncertainty, leaving many of us working after the fact to understand the policy and practical impacts of its outcomes. This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Jonathan Chambers, a partner at Conexon, a network solutions provider for electric cooperatives around the Uni…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
“This Isn’t a Game:” The RDOF Auction, Unforced Errors, and Getting Infrastructure Funding Right – Episode 448 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
53:05
53:05
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53:05
The conclusion of the RDOF auction was met with a good deal of drama and uncertainty, leaving many of us working after the fact to understand the policy and practical impacts of its outcomes. This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Jonathan Chambers, a partner at Conexon, a network solutions provider for electric cooperatives around the Uni…
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Local Energy Rules


1
Greenpenny Puts Community Banking to Work for Clean Energy
34:13
34:13
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34:13
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Greenpenny’s Jason MacDuff. They discuss what’s needed for a prompt clean energy transition, the value of community banks, and the success of the innovative Greenpenny model.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
“Fiber from the Sea to the Mountaintop” with Anza Electric Cooperative – Community Broadband Bits Episode 447
31:25
31:25
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31:25
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Anza Electric Cooperative General Manager Kevin Short, and Network Administrator Sean Trento. Anza Electric stretches across 550 square miles in Southern California between San Diego and Palm Springs, sandwiched between the Salton Sea and the San Jacinto Mountains. About 6 years ago they initiated a v…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
“Fiber from the Sea to the Mountaintop” with Anza Electric Cooperative – Community Broadband Bits Episode 447
31:25
31:25
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31:25
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Anza Electric Cooperative General Manager Kevin Short, and Network Administrator Sean Trento. Anza Electric stretches across 550 square miles in Southern California between San Diego and Palm Springs, sandwiched between the Salton Sea and the San Jacinto Mountains. About 6 years ago they initiated a v…
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Building Local Power


1
Connecting Indian Country to the Benefits of Broadband
44:02
44:02
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44:02
On this episode of Building Local Power, host Jess Del Fiacco is joined by three members of ILSR's broadband team to discuss new resources that focus on tribal broadband projects and municipal broadband projects throughout the country. … Read MoreBy Jess Del Fiacco
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Partnerships Bring Better Broadband to Le Sueur County, Minnesota – Episode 446 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
34:25
34:25
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34:25
This week on the podcast we’re catching up with what’s been happening in Le Sueur County (pop. 28,000) in southern Minnesota, and path they’re on to turn the region from one of the least connected in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes to one on track to becoming among the most connected in the next couple of years. To do so, Christopher talks with Barb…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Partnerships Bring Better Broadband to Le Sueur County, Minnesota – Episode 446 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
34:25
34:25
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34:25
This week on the podcast we’re catching up with what’s been happening in Le Sueur County (pop. 28,000) in southern Minnesota, and path they’re on to turn the region from one of the least connected in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes to one on track to becoming among the most connected in the next couple of years. To do so, Christopher talks with Barb…
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Local Energy Rules


1
Expanding Access to Energy Efficient Appliances
32:03
32:03
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32:03
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell and guest Marti Frank discuss the Shift Model: an approach that uses utility rebates to shift home appliance sales to more efficient models.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Wrapping Up a Landmark Year for the UTOPIA Fiber Network – Episode 445 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
46:44
46:44
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46:44
2020 was a year of explosive growth for what is now UTOPIA Fiber’s 15-city footprint, fueled by unprecedented demand. The network buried 1.7 million feet of conduit and 1.4 million feet of fiber cabling, driven by 10,000 new residential installations and over 500 new business connections. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by CEO and Ex…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Wrapping Up a Landmark Year for the UTOPIA Fiber Network – Episode 445 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
46:44
46:44
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46:44
2020 was a year of explosive growth for what is now UTOPIA Fiber’s 15-city footprint, fueled by unprecedented demand. The network buried 1.7 million feet of conduit and 1.4 million feet of fiber cabling, driven by 10,000 new residential installations and over 500 new business connections. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by CEO and Ex…
Host Jess Del Fiacco and ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell are joined by Brad Lander, who represents Brooklyn's 39th District on the New York City Council. Brad shares his perspective on how the pandemic has affected NYC neighborhoods. … Read MoreBy Jess Del Fiacco
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Reforming Rural Funding Structures for a Better Broadband Tomorrow – Episode 444 of the Community Broadband Podcast
42:05
42:05
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42:05
This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Larry Thompson, CEO of Vantage Point Solutions, a South Dakota-based company which provides engineering, consulting and regulatory services for ISPs of all sizes. The two talk about how the variety of subsidy and grant programs we’ve built to get broadband out into rural areas and make sure folks can…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Reforming Rural Funding Structures for a Better Broadband Tomorrow – Episode 444 of the Community Broadband Podcast
42:05
42:05
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42:05
This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Larry Thompson, CEO of Vantage Point Solutions, a South Dakota-based company which provides engineering, consulting and regulatory services for ISPs of all sizes. The two talk about how the variety of subsidy and grant programs we’ve built to get broadband out into rural areas and make sure folks can…
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Local Energy Rules


1
Minneapolis Health Department Splits the Bill with Green Investors
43:08
43:08
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43:08
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell and guest Patrick Hanlon discuss Green Cost Share: a program that promotes public health by matching investments in solar and energy efficiency projects.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Loveland Pulse Races Ahead – Episode 443 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
26:31
26:31
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26:31
The Front Range in Colorado has been a hotbed of activity recently, and just before Christmas we wrote about how Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Loveland are all pursuing projects to bring better connectivity to residents in the region. This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Fiber Manager Brieana Reed-Harmel andMarketing and Communications …
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Loveland Pulse Races Ahead – Episode 443 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
26:31
26:31
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26:31
The Front Range in Colorado has been a hotbed of activity recently, and just before Christmas we wrote about how Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Loveland are all pursuing projects to bring better connectivity to residents in the region. This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Fiber Manager Brieana Reed-Harmel andMarketing and Communications …
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Building Local Power


1
Should Big Utilities Pay for Their Bad Choices? — Episode 117 of Building Local Power
49:36
49:36
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49:36
John Farrell, Co-Director of ILSR, interviews Leslie Glustrom, founding member of Clean Energy Action about how we can equitably transition to a clean energy future. … Read MoreBy Jess Del Fiacco
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Finding Our Way with the Help of Digital Navigators – Episode 442 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
31:35
31:35
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31:35
In August we first covered the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s new Digital Navigator’s program, which provides a best-practices model for organizations looking to use local resources to help neighbors learn the skills and overcome their reluctance to getting online. This week on the podcast Christopher welcomes Paolo Balboa, Program Manager a…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Finding Our Way with the Help of Digital Navigators – Episode 442 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
31:35
31:35
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31:35
In August we first covered the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s new Digital Navigator’s program, which provides a best-practices model for organizations looking to use local resources to help neighbors learn the skills and overcome their reluctance to getting online. This week on the podcast Christopher welcomes Paolo Balboa, Program Manager a…
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Local Energy Rules


1
A Portland Fund, Collected from Corporations, Finances Community Benefits
35:55
35:55
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35:55
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jaimes Valdez about the Portland Clean Energy Fund: a climate action fund for racial and social justice.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Predictions for 2021, Year in Review for 2020 – Episode 441 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
49:47
49:47
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49:47
2020 is nearly over, and it’s that time of the year we sit back with a cold glass of eggnog and reflect on what was, what is, what might have been, and what will be. In this episode the Community Broadband Bits podcast the MuniNetworks team cranks up Zoom for the zillionth time this month to review our previous years’ predictions to see who swung t…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Predictions for 2021, Year in Review for 2020 – Episode 441 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
49:47
49:47
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49:47
2020 is nearly over, and it’s that time of the year we sit back with a cold glass of eggnog and reflect on what was, what is, what might have been, and what will be. In this episode the Community Broadband Bits podcast the MuniNetworks team cranks up Zoom for the zillionth time this month to review our previous years’ predictions to see who swung t…
C
Community Broadband Bits


1
Building Digitally Equitable Communities – Bonus Episode Ten of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
40:20
40:20
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40:20
For the tenth episode of our special podcast series “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re talking about the innovative Building a New Digital Economic (BAND-NC) grant program, which provides funds to support devices, subscriptions, and digital skills training to communities across North Carolina. The program disbursed its first round of money to 29 pro…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Building Digitally Equitable Communities – Bonus Episode Ten of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
40:20
40:20
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40:20
For the tenth episode of our special podcast series “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re talking about the innovative Building a New Digital Economic (BAND-NC) grant program, which provides funds to support devices, subscriptions, and digital skills training to communities across North Carolina. The program disbursed its first round of money to 29 pro…
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Local Energy Rules


1
In Seattle, Corporations Must Pay Their Fair Share to Support Climate Justice
36:01
36:01
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36:01
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jill Mangaliman and Abigail Juaner about Jumpstart Seattle: a corporate payroll tax that will fund housing and Green New Deal initiatives.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits


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The Truth is in the Numbers: How RS Fiber Brings Broadband to the Farms and Families of Rural Minnesota – Episode 440 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
33:15
33:15
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33:15
We’ve written a lot about RS Fiber, a broadband cooperative operating in two rural counties in south-central Minnesota. This week on the podcast Christopher talks with two representatives from the cooperative which serves almost three thousand members in Renville and Sibley counties. Our first guest is Jake Reiki, a corn and soybean farmer and Boar…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
The Truth is in the Numbers: How RS Fiber Brings Broadband to the Farms and Families of Rural Minnesota – Episode 440 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
33:15
33:15
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33:15
We’ve written a lot about RS Fiber, a broadband cooperative operating in two rural counties in south-central Minnesota. This week on the podcast Christopher talks with two representatives from the cooperative which serves almost three thousand members in Renville and Sibley counties. Our first guest is Jake Reiki, a corn and soybean farmer and Boar…
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Building Local Power


1
A Vision for Landfills that Challenges the Status Quo
42:16
42:16
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42:16
Host Jess Del Fiacco is joined by Neil Seldman and Captain Charles Moore, author of Plastic Ocean, to discuss Moore's his vision for turning landfills into "resource recovery parks."… Read MoreBy Jess Del Fiacco
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Organizing for Change in Kaysville, Utah – Episode 439 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
41:24
41:24
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41:24
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Michelle Barber and Andre Lortz. Both serve on the Kaysville City Council and are members of the group Citizens for Kaysville Fiber, but today they join us to talk as regular citizens of the city of 30,000 in Utah. Kaysville has been working to improve Internet access … Continue reading "Organizing fo…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Organizing for Change in Kaysville, Utah – Episode 439 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
41:24
41:24
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41:24
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Michelle Barber and Andre Lortz. Both serve on the Kaysville City Council and are members of the group Citizens for Kaysville Fiber, but today they join us to talk as regular citizens of the city of 30,000 in Utah. Kaysville has been working to improve Internet access … Continue reading "Organizing fo…
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Local Energy Rules


1
A Solar Settlement for the Good of the Grid
28:46
28:46
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28:46
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell and Vote Solar’s Thad Culley discuss a net metering settlement underway in the Carolinas: a compromise benefitting the utility, customer-generators, and the electric grid.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Building Momentum with CityLink in Wadsworth, Ohio – Episode 438 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
34:30
34:30
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34:30
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Steve Lange, IT Manager for the city of Wadsworth (pop. 26,000) in eastern Ohio, which built its hybrid fiber-coax municipal network CityLink back in 1997. The two talk about the history of the network, its push to bring more competition to the town, and its operational structure — the … Continue read…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Building Momentum with CityLink in Wadsworth, Ohio – Episode 438 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
34:30
34:30
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34:30
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Steve Lange, IT Manager for the city of Wadsworth (pop. 26,000) in eastern Ohio, which built its hybrid fiber-coax municipal network CityLink back in 1997. The two talk about the history of the network, its push to bring more competition to the town, and its operational structure — the … Continue read…
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Building Local Power


1
A Cornucopia of Policy Opportunities in the New Year — Episode 115 of Building Local Power
49:00
49:00
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49:00
From small business relief to a solar homes stimulus, we look ahead to policy opportunities in the new year and beyond in this episode of Building Local Power. … Read MoreBy Jess Del Fiacco
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Broadband Access is a Health and Social Justice Issue — Episode 437 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
30:42
30:42
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30:42
This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Jennifer Hawkins, President and Executive Director of One Neighborhood Builders (ONB), a community development organization based out of Rhode Island. She talks about about the Olneyville neighborhood, situated on the west side of Providence, and how significant health disparities in that community…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Broadband Access is a Health and Social Justice Issue — Episode 437 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
30:42
30:42
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30:42
This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Jennifer Hawkins, President and Executive Director of One Neighborhood Builders (ONB), a community development organization based out of Rhode Island. She talks about about the Olneyville neighborhood, situated on the west side of Providence, and how significant health disparities in that community…
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Local Energy Rules


1
Voices of 100%: Louisville’s Clean Energy Pledge Takes On Multiple Crises
30:16
30:16
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30:16
For this Voices of 100% episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell talks with Brandon Coan and Gretchen Milliken about Louisville, Ky.'s 100% renewable pledge and how it intersects with the fight for racial justice.… Read MoreBy Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Alabama Makes a $100 Million Commitment to Getting Students Online — Episode 436 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
32:14
32:14
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32:14
This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Maureen Neighbors, Energy Division Chief of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, about the state’s one-of-a-kind, $100 million voucher program designed and deployed for the current school year to help get and keep economically vulnerable students connected. She tells Christopher …
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Alabama Makes a $100 Million Commitment to Getting Students Online — Episode 436 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
32:14
32:14
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32:14
This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Maureen Neighbors, Energy Division Chief of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, about the state’s one-of-a-kind, $100 million voucher program designed and deployed for the current school year to help get and keep economically vulnerable students connected. She tells Christopher …
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


1
Episode 1 of Connect This! – Community Broadband Bits Podcast Bonus Episode
1:02:28
1:02:28
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1:02:28
Despite repeated reminders from the rest of us that Hollywood will only ever give the late night slots to guys named James, Stephen, or Conan, Christopher is determined that if he just hosts enough things he’ll be able to break into the business and leave us all behind. In that spirit comes a new series … Continue reading "Episode 1 of Connect This…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Episode 1 of Connect This! – Community Broadband Bits Podcast Bonus Episode
1:02:28
1:02:28
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1:02:28
Despite repeated reminders from the rest of us that Hollywood will only ever give the late night slots to guys named James, Stephen, or Conan, Christopher is determined that if he just hosts enough things he’ll be able to break into the business and leave us all behind. In that spirit comes a new series … Continue reading "Episode 1 of Connect This…
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Community Broadband Bits Podcast


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Sacred Wind Goes Technology Agnostic To Serve the Navajo Nation — Episode 435 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
29:43
29:43
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29:43
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Catherine Nicolaou, External Affairs and Marketing Manager for Sacred Wind Communications, a rural local exchange carrier in NW New Mexico that has been focused on serving the Navajo Nation communities there. She shares the history of Sacred Wind, from buying copper infrastructure from Century Link 13…
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Community Broadband Bits


1
Sacred Wind Goes Technology Agnostic To Serve the Navajo Nation — Episode 435 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
29:43
29:43
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29:43
This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Catherine Nicolaou, External Affairs and Marketing Manager for Sacred Wind Communications, a rural local exchange carrier in NW New Mexico that has been focused on serving the Navajo Nation communities there. She shares the history of Sacred Wind, from buying copper infrastructure from Century Link 13…