Dear Fellow Kentuckians,

Kentucky is a national technology leader. This is a grand statement that is neither a dream nor a slogan. Kentucky’s national technology leadership position is a truth that has spread across the country and around the world as the ConnectKentucky partnership is held up as a model by a wide array of media, state and national policy-makers, industry leaders, unions and numerous government agencies and officials.

ConnectKentucky’s nation-leading work has been promoted as a model by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Economist, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and dozens of other national media outlets. Throughout the proceedings of the 2007 United States Congress lawmakers routinely pointed to the technology advances in Kentucky as they referenced ConnectKentucky as the model for shaping federal legislation that would enable a similar response in every state in the nation.

Congressional leaders from both sides of the political aisle have pointed out that the goals of ConnectKentucky are non-partisan in nature: good for all communities, all people and socioeconomic backgrounds, all America. ConnectKentucky’s launch under former Governor Patton and expansion under former Governor Fletcher demonstrate the importance of ConnectKentucky’s mission for all Kentuckians.

More impressive than the positive publicity generated by ConnectKentucky are the non-profit group’s results that have sparked a technology and economic development turn-around for the Commonwealth. ConnectKentucky connects people to technology in a way that helps improve their lives. Previously declining Kentucky communities are now connected to high-speed Internet (broadband) and it is making a difference. There are now more tech intensive jobs and companies in the Commonwealth. Kentuckians of all ages can pursue life-long learning, enjoy improved healthcare and a superior quality of life. Consider the magnitude of the following results that have occurred through the work of ConnectKentucky and its partners:

• 95% of Kentucky households can access broadband Internet up from only 60% three years ago.
• The percentage of Kentuckians actually using broadband has increased by 100% - from 22% to 44% - and from one of the worst state use rates to one of the best.
• Computer ownership in Kentucky homes has grown by 24% while the national average grew only 4%.
• Every Kentucky county now has a website to make local government more accessible.

Though impressive results have been achieved to date, the work of ConnectKentucky has only now begun. Imagine the folly of the house builder who would celebrate the pouring of the foundation and consider his work done. ConnectKentucky is poised now to build on the technology foundation that has been established – working to seize the opportunities enabled when technology is applied to education, healthcare, community and economic development, small business growth, and government service delivery.

“The central question in assuring a brighter future for Kentucky is the wise investments in preparing its people to be capable and adaptable in a demanding technological age. This calls for wise and courageous leadership to recognize this fact.” This statement was made by the late Dr. Thomas Clark in an open letter to the 2005 General Assembly. The words ring even truer today in light of the great opportunities that are now within our reach.

John R. Hall
Chairman
ConnectKentucky Steering Committee