Can we compete in the 21st century?

    It seems as if we are approaching a tipping point in our country and lots of us are worried as to whether or not we have the capacity to compete and win as a country.    One of the tipping points presents itself on the extraordinary opportunities presented by expanding the use of broadband.   

   A recent press release issued by the Internet Innovation Alliance cited some compelling benefits to our economy:

• a small increase of just 7% in broadband adoption "could result in $134 billion per year in total direct economic benefit to the American economy.  (ConnectedNation)"
• 293,000 private sector jobs will be created for every 1% increase in broadband adoption (The Brookings Institution).
• We could reduce hospital and drug expenses by 30% with broadband-based remote monitoring.

   Those are some pretty compelling arguments for universal broadband availability.   94% of WIPP members tell us that broadband is essential for them to compete and since small business is the backbone of the US economy - it is foolish for us to not listen.