Interested In Joining the Statewide Broadband Investment Planning Network?

The New Hampshire Municipal Association has partnered with the National Collaborative for Digital Equity (NCDE), founded and based in New Hampshire, to help cities and towns that are interested in using Local and Fiscal Recovery Funds (LFRF) to improve broadband. NHMA and NDCE are working together to bring interested members the opportunity to join a NHMA/NCDE broadband planning network and to undertake broadband investment planning together.

NCDE proposes that interested members allocate a portion of their municipality’s ARPA Local Relief Funds (based on population, see right) to join the broadband investment planning network, whose priorities will be to: (1) assist the participating municipalities to develop one or more joint broadband investment funding proposals; (2) design investment plans to support for-profit and nonprofit business models that incorporate affordable pricing (<$15/month) for low– and moderate-income households; (3) assist participating municipalities to become “Broadband Ready” communities while developing NHMA’s capability to provide this support as an ongoing support to members, generally; and (4) other broadband projects as deemed fundable.

Broadband planning network cost schedule, based on population:

25 4,999: $5,000

5,000

9,999: $7,500

10,000 +: $10,000

Please note that NHMA receives a fee for each municipality that joins the Statewide Broadband Planning Network with NCDE.

If you are interested in learning more about this Network, please contact NHMA’s Executive Director, Margaret Byrnes at 603.224.7447 or via email at mbyrnes@nhmunicipal.org. Your name and contact information will be shared with NCDE, who will follow-up directly with you.

Right-to-Know Law and Public Meetings and Gover nmental Recor ds Hybrid Wor kshop

WHEN: COST:

The attorneys will also provide guidance on handling governmental record matters arising under the Right-to-Know Law. Handling governmental records requests requires an understanding of all aspects of request processing including: the requirements for availability, storage, electronic records, redaction, cost estimates, mandated access for certain records and appointments for review of records. This workshop will also address what records are exempt from disclosure, along with whether a record request that would require a search for multiple documents must be fulfilled or whether a request impermissibly seeks to create a record that does not exist. In addition, guidance will be provided on the retention of governmental records and how claims under the Right-to-Know Law are enforced.

Attendees will receive an electronic copy of NHMA's updated publication, A Guide to Open Government: New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law. Additional materials such as the PowerPoint presentation and handouts will also be distributed electronically.

For more information and to register visit: www.nhmuncipal.org