Civitium Helps North Georgia Network Cooperative Land $33 Million Broadband Stimulus Award with Vice President Biden Making the Award Personally

/PRNewswire/ -- Vice President Joseph Biden presented a $33 million federal grant award to the North Georgia Network Cooperative (NGN) today. Under the direction of the Development Authority of Lumpkin County, Ga., Civitium led the development of the project from inception through feasibility, network design, organizational structure, financial planning and grant preparation.

Civitium, a specialized consulting firm focused on the planning and management of next-generation broadband networks, worked with leaders throughout north Georgia since early 2008 to develop and mature the project. The firm also supported NGN during an intense due diligence phase with the NTIA.

"This project has the potential to transform north Georgia's economic development potential," said Greg Richardson, founder and managing partner for Civitium. "We are honored to have played a part in helping NGN reach this important milestone."

Civitium's skill in the public, private and nonprofit broadband sectors helped produce a collaborative model that leverages the strengths of numerous stakeholders. The network relies on the resources of local electric utilities for customer service and network operations and incorporates an advisory board of economic development and public benefit organizations. The project is highly efficient, making use of existing fiber where available.

Bruce Abraham, executive director of the Development Authority of Lumpkin County, the lead public agency for the project, stated, "We couldn't have reached this point without the advice and assistance of the Civitium team. Their passion, commitment, expertise and problem-solving ability is unparalleled in my 20-plus years of experience."

The NGN network will traverse twelve counties in north Georgia, providing a backbone that directly connects to the southeast's largest Internet exchange in Atlanta. The network will serve dozens of anchor institutions along this backbone, including public schools, local governments, technical colleges, large businesses, healthcare providers and other organizations with high-bandwidth needs. In addition, it will offer advanced fiber-to-the-home services in key underserved areas. Finally, the network will adhere to so-called open access principles, insuring that any cable, DSL, or wireless operator will be able to interconnect and extend their own services throughout the region.

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Vice President Biden Announces Release of Nearly $100 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Support Senior Nutrition Programs

Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services will award $100 million in Recovery Act funding to provide meals to tens of thousands of low-income older Americans in need. The funding is expected to provide nearly 14 million meals
nationwide.

"Across the country, older Americans depend on senior centers and home delivery programs for regular, healthy meals. Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down," said Vice President Biden. "The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food."

The Recovery Act provides $65 million for congregate nutrition services provided at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million for home delivered nutrition services delivered to frail elders at home and $3 million for Native American nutrition programs. The funding will be awarded to 56 states and territories and 246 tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. States will award the funds to organizations that provide nutrition services in their communities. Funding for nutrition programs for seniors in the Older Americans Act was initially authored and championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

The Recovery Act funding comes as budget constraints have forced states and tribes to limit community-based services and critical Older Americans Act related services, including home-delivered meals. Across the country, organizations that serve senior citizens have scaled back services and limited the number of meals served per week.

The economic downturn has also made it difficult for many seniors to afford the right foods to keep themselves healthy and active. Additionally, many seniors may be too impaired to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Without regular nutritious meals, the health of many older Americans declines; they become more susceptible to illness; their ability to manage their chronic diseases is reduced, and they may lose their ability to remain at home, independent in their community.

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VP Debate Battle of Style vs. Substance, says Debate Expert

Emory University debate coach James Roland says Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden both hit their marks in the only vice presidential debate Thursday night.

"I think Gov. Palin definitely exceeded expectations. She held her own and had no major problems or mistakes. Biden, though, was far superior in his content and presentation," says Roland.

"Neither one did a bad job. Both were quite effective in persuading their target audiences and communicating the differences in their ideologies. If you're more moved by style and presentation then Palin definitely won for you. If you prefer substance and content, then Joe Biden was far better and the stronger debater," he says.

Roland is director of Community Debate Programs and debate coach for Emory's Barkley Forum. He is a former nationally ranked debater and as s director of programs for the National Debate Project, Roland is one of the nation's foremost experts on the role of debate in urban education. He has been a debate advisor to the U.S. State Department, Atlanta Housing Authority, Open Society Institute and Urban Debate Leagues in Miami, Milwaukee, Memphis, Washington, D.C., New York, Nashville, Baltimore and Jamaica.

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