U.S. EDA Names ConnectKentucky Finalist for Economic Development Excellence Award

For its role in leading Governor Ernie Fletcher's Prescription for Innovation, ConnectKentucky has been recognized as a finalist for the 2006 EDA Excellence in Economic Development Award. ConnectKentucky is one of three finalists in the Excellence in Innovation category for which organizations nationwide are evaluated to determine how effectively they incorporate innovative strategies for maximum results in economic development.

According to Governor Fletcher, "ConnectKentucky's implementation of the Prescription for Innovation has established the commonwealth as a national model for technology-based economic development. Over the last two years, technology in Kentucky has grown like never before and communities statewide are realizing the benefits. I appreciate EDA's recognition of this important work and commend ConnectKentucky for this accomplishment."

Sandy K. Baruah, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, will announce the winners of EDA's 2006 Awards on May 30, 2006. The 2006 Awards will be presented in ceremonies held in the winners' respective communities. Other finalists for the nation's most prestigious economic development award represent the states of Georgia and Rhode Island.

Kentucky's Prescription for Innovation is a comprehensive plan to accelerate technology growth, particularly in the areas of broadband deployment and adoption. The initiative maintains four key tenants for impacting statewide economic development:

• Full broadband deployment by the end of 2007
• Dramatically improved use of computers and the Internet by all Kentuckians
• A meaningful online presence for all Kentucky communities, to improve citizen services and promote economic development through e-government, virtual education, and online healthcare
• Local technology leadership teams in every community to develop and implement technology growth strategies for local government, business and industry, education, healthcare, agriculture, libraries, tourism, and community-based organizations.

Since the inception of the Prescription for Innovation, statewide broadband availability and usage have increased by 33 percent and 45 percent respectively. An estimated 300,000 previously unserved households can now access broadband as private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure has reached an unprecedented level in Kentucky. Home computer ownership has grown by 17 percent and more than 100 counties are actively engaged in the eCommunity Leadership process to establish a nine-sector technology growth plan for accelerating technology locally. Moreover, the rate of Kentucky's high-tech job growth is outpacing the national average.