2008 Annual Report Executive Summary

Tioga REAP Zone

During 2008, REAP finished the 3 grants that carried over from 2007. The ARC grant which supported the start up of 2 Neighbors Helping Neighbors networks in the communities of Spencer-Van-Etten and Berkshire-Richford were completed resulting in 2 new networks serving their communities. The USDA RBEG grant was completed resulting in many new and perspective entrepreneurs receiving training on such topics as: business planning, financial aspects of a small business, marketing and web site development. At the end of the year, we finished the USDA RBOG grant through which we trained community citizens on Community Visioning and Decision Making and initiated a project to address broadband availability to residents in Tioga County.

Most Significant Accomplishment
The ability to create and maintain a citizen led working group called Connect Tioga is our biggest accomplishment. This group came out of the Sustainable Tioga project which was funded through an RBOG grant. Once the group identified their county-wide project, they renamed themselves: Connect Tioga. Their mission: To make affordable high speed broadband available to all residents of Tioga County. This group was able to get County support in the form of a resolution and staff support from the IT Department. They met with various special interest groups in Tioga County to determine their broadband needs and any projects they were working on. They contracted with a consultant to identify the areas without broadband coverage and identify issues related to broadband coverage with groups such as health care, human services, government, emergency services and business. This group has made contact with Southern Tier East and is working with them on a joint application for funding for broadband. Although progress seems slow, they can measure progress especially in terms of information and potential partnerships. Connect Tioga project also demonstrated a strong community commitment with a membership of 12 community members from various parts of the county and various backgrounds.