The document outlines the development of the Land of Sky Regional Broadband Initiative, emphasizing the importance of broadband for economic advancement. It details a series of phases from 2015 to 2019, including collaborations among various stakeholders and initiatives aimed at enhancing broadband access in urban and underserved communities. Lessons learned highlight the significance of focused partnerships and maintaining strategic goals throughout the process.

2. “Without direct and focused
investment in this infrastructure,
the region will slip further behind
the rest of the state's technology
advancements.” – Basic Tenet, Land of
Sky Regional Broadband Initiative

3. 2015
Broadband Identified as Priority for Economic Development

4. WestNGN Partnership formed to incentivize high-
speed broadband investments among the most
urbanized communities in the region along the
current available public networks.
Partners included:
• UNC-Asheville
• NC State University
• NC Broadband Office
• Community Stakeholders
• Education and Research Consortium (ERC)
• Lenoir-Rhyne University - Asheville
• Asheville-Buncombe County Economic
Development Coalition
• Southwestern Commission
Six Cities

5. Middle-Mile Network

6. Phase I
2016
•73 leaders hosted by UNCA to learn of Next Generation Network
in RTP
•6 Municipalities agree to form West Next Generation Network
Phase I
Spring 2017
•2nd regional gathering of 83 leaders explored future technology
needs
•Community profiles developed
•Broadband-friendly policies agreed upon
Phase I
Summer 2017
•Request for Negotiation (RFN) released in August
•Future of Technology visioning document developed by Lenoir
Rhyne & UNCA

7. Phase I
Fall 2017
•7 proposals reviewed
•6 firms interviewed
Phase I
Spring 2018
•Hotwire (Asheville, Waynesville)
•RiverStreet (Biltmore Forest, Fletcher, Hendersonville, Laurel Park)
•Charter for current services
Phase I
May 2018
•Summit at UNCA to introduce firms
•Firms assess market opportunities
•Combine WestNGN Phase I & Phase II

8. Phase II Winter
2018
•Regional Broadband Summit (January 2019)
•Community profiles for Phase II
Phase II
Spring 2018
•Asset mapping – vertical and horizontal assets
•Regional Broadband Survey
Phase II
Summer/Fall 2018
•Identify priority locations for connections to under-served
communities
•Create Deployment Plan

9. Continue
partnership
with ERC
Focus on rural,
less urbanized
areas
Form sector-
specific
partnerships
Next Steps

10. Lessons Learned
Economic
Development,
Not
Technology
Get the Right
People in the
Room & the
Wrong Ones
Out
Partnership,
Partnership,
Partnership
Keep Focus on
the BHAG

11. Justin Hembree
justin@landofsky.org
828.251.6622