Ford, George, S., Koutsky, Thomas, M. Municipal Broadband Networks and Economic Development: A Case Study from Florida Applied Economic Studies April 2005 http://www.publicpower.com/telecom_study/municipal_broadband_&_economic_development.pdf. Link Accessed: 2005-06-01.

Contributor: Jean

Keywords: broadband, investment, municipal

Abstract:

This paper provides a statistical assessment, an ‘econometric model,’ of the impact of municipal broadband investment on economic development activity.  The study focuses on the growth of a rather typical Florida community, the city of Leesburg in Lake County, which invested in a municipal telecommunication infrastructure.  Using statistical measures, the study compares Lake County’s economic performance pre-broadband and post-broadband against a group of comparable counties in Florida.   

The authors conclude that Lake County experienced significant economic growth after the municipal network was deployed.  Their findings show that efforts to restrict public broadband initiatives could deny communities an important tool in promoting economic development.