Oh look, Iowa paid Kentucky firm $730,000 in no-bid broadband contract

[47of74]

Sigh/ugh/facepalm.

Iowa signed a no-bid contract with a Kentucky firm to help with Gov. Terry Branstad’s efforts to expand broadband Internet access across the state.

Connected Nation, a Bowling Green, Ky., not-for-profit, has done broadband mapping and community engagement for Iowa since 2009. But when federal funding ran out in January, Iowa stepped in with a quickie contract to extend the services for eight months with state money.

“People expect those services to continue,” said Bob von Wolffradt, Iowa’s chief information officer. “We would like to have some light shone on those things rather than have them abruptly ended.”

Nearly three-quarters of Iowa households had access to high-speed fixed broadband in October, up from 55 percent in 2013, according to Connected Nation. The not-for-profit, acting as Connect Iowa, has received millions of dollars in economic stimulus money since 2010 to help with this growth.

There wasn't anyone in Iowa that could do this?

[IADEMO2004]

1. These words should answer Rep.Youngs A.C.A. survey Rurallib posted.

“People expect those services to continue,” said Bob von Wolffradt, Iowa’s chief information officer. “We would like to have some light shone on those things rather than have them abruptly ended.” 

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10513230