In today’s society, internet broadband connectivity is becoming as fundamental a utility as water, electricity, and phone service. A lynchpin issue nationwide, broadband has the potential to widen or close the socio-economic gap. Relevant to individuals and industries across New Mexico, the availability of broadband impacts access to health and educational information, and is a key factor in ongoing economic development. Due to widespread rural and tribal communities, and New Mexico’s rocky landscape, statewide access to affordable, reliable broadband is a challenging goal. Shifts in the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations and subsidies for telecom companies add to the issue’s complexity. Another crucial component of the broadband equation is the ongoing need for relevant and effective digital literacy training. 

For all of these reasons, the New Mexico State Library will convene the Statewide Broadband Summit. Participants at this statewide collaborative planning session will work together to ascertain key needs in the area of statewide broadband, including identification of the barriers and immediate next steps. The summit will focus on six tracks:

• Digital Literacy
• Education sectors (both K-12 and higher education)
• Economic Development
• Health
• Governance and Collaboration
• Tribal Issues

Each tract will develop its own platform of key recommendations, which will be submitted to the New Mexico State Library for future consideration. The recommendations will also be sent to policymakers and others involved with broadband initiatives throughout the state and will contribute to the development of a statewide strategic plan on broadband, being developed by the NM Department of Information Technology.

Who Should Attend?

• Librarians
• Community members
• Business people
• Advocates
• Researchers and educators
• Tribal members
• Public officials
• Government employees
• Students

Seating is limited. Early registration is highly recommended. 

NOTE: We strive to accommodate the accessibility needs of our registrants. If you require any physical accommodations to participate, please register by July 1 so we can respond to your request.

WHEN	WHAT
8:00 AM	Check-in and Networking
8:30 AM	Welcome and Overview Devon Skeele, State Librarian, New Mexico State Library Gar Clarke, Broadband Program Manager, New Mexico Department of Information Technology  Heather Balas, President and Executive Director, New Mexico First
9:00 AM	Roundtable Discussion Digital Literacy: Eva Artschwager, Director of Community Education, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos  Education and Economic Development: Kurt Steinhaus, Director of Community Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory  Governance and Collaboration: Brian Harris, Assistant Attorney General, Office of New Mexico Attorney General Health: Dale Alverson, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Regent’s Professor, UNM Health Sciences Center Library and Informatics Center and Medical Director, Center for Telehealth and Cybermedicine Research Tribal: Joe Garcia, Councilman, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo
10:00 AM	Break
10:15 AM	Small Group Discussion A: Challenges Question 1: Drawing on the background report and your own knowledge of the issues, what is one challenge that limits our ability to ensure the following goals? Digital Literacy Track: All New Mexicans have the literacy skills necessary to operate technology tools and effectively use the internet.  Education Track: Students and educators have the online courses and resources they need to be successful, and our education institutions have the broadband infrastructure they need to deliver these courses and resources.  Economic Development Track: Businesses and entrepreneurs have the technology tools they need, and their communities have adequate broadband infrastructure to grow local economies.  Health Track: New Mexicans have access to quality telehealth services, healthcare facilities have adequate broadband to deliver telehealth services, and providers have the access and expertise to deliver telehealth services to their patients. Governance and Collaboration Track: To ensure access for all New Mexicans, piecemeal efforts to build a reliable broadband network are replaced by a plan that promotes collaboration among all other involved stakeholders, both public and private.  Tribal Track: Tribal communities have access to reliable broadband internet connections, the technology tools, and the literacy skills necessary to take advantage of educational, business, and telehealth opportunities.
11:15 AM	Small Group Discussion B: Solutions Question 2: What are our best ideas for overcoming the challenges we identified?
12:30 PM	Lunch
1:30 PM	Small Group Discussion C: Recommendations Question 3: What recommendations do we want to propose that will have the most significant impact?
3:40 PM	Break
4:00 PM	Plenary Session: Recommendations Review Heather Balas, President and Executive Director, New Mexico First
5:20 PM	Closing Devon Skeele, State Librarian, New Mexico State Library
5:30 PM	Adjourn

Health: Dale Alverson, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Regent’s Professor, UNM Health Sciences Center Library and Informatics Center and Medical Director, Center for Telehealth and Cybermedicine Research 

Digital Literacy: Eva Artschwager, Director of Community Education, UNM Los Alamos

Gar Clarke, Broadband Program Manager, New Mexico Department of Information Technology 

Education and Economic Development: Kurt Steinhaus, Director of Community Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory

The Statewide Broadband Summit is convened by the New Mexico State Library’s Fast Forward New Mexico project and funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Registration is closed.  If you have questions please send us an email at info@nmfirst.org.  Thank you. 

Location
Albuquerque Marriott
101 Louisiana Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM  87110
MAP

Parking
Parking is free for town hall participants.

Reports

Website Resources

American Telemedicine Association Website

Center For Telehealth And Cybermedicine Research Website

Center For Telehealth And E-Health Law Website

Cybertelecom Website

LCF Research Website

New Mexico Broadband Program Website

New Mexico Telehealth Alliance Website