Yearly Archives: 2011

Illinois, Minnesota to see expanded broadband

Illinois and Minnesota are moving forward on expansions to their in-state broadband networks. Frontier Communications recently expanded its service offerings to several Illinois communities including eight cities in deep southern Illinois. Additionally, Paul Bunyan Communications was awarded a $17 million dollar loan from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand its services throughout Minnesota.Read… Read more »

Esri Video Series: GIS Helps Feed the Hungry in a SNAP!

Our final video in the Esri video series features Jonathan Benett, Program Manager for USDA Food and Nutrition. <br/> Video Notes: Jonathan Benett describes the USDA FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as the SNAP Retail Locator, how SNAP uses GIS to better serve its users and the unintended beneficiaries of SNAP RetailRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Gov Shutdown? Is your position safe?

As I was reading this article on the Washington Post’s Federal Page today about the looming Federal government shutdown, a few thoughts crossed my mind. What will this mean for my friends in the government? How long would a shutdown last? Is it really possible for the U.S. Gov’t to cease certain operations? The lastRead… Read more »

Is America Ready to March and Press On?

President Barack Obama delivered remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. The President stated that he needed the help and determination of the Congressional Black Caucus in supporting and helping pass the American Jobs Act: With patient and firm determination, I am going toRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Gov Documents Go Digital

Starting today in Ottawa County, Michigan, citizens can access their government documents, such as their birth certificates, marriage licenses, property deeds and other records, from the Internet. Testing for the system has been in effect for the past month using a program called TrueCertify to help ensure security and encryption for these documents to preventRead… Read more »

GovLaunch: Bill Introduced for Feds to Donate Sick Days to Agency Banks

Government Exec reported that on Friday legislation was introduced that would allow Federal employees to donate their unused sick leave to an agency wide leave bank. The bill was sponsored by Representatives Gerry Connolly, Jim Moran and Chris Van Hollen and all have stated that the bill will be nearly cost neutral. Government Executive reports:Read… Read more »