As 2012 begins, WiredWest is continuing to work diligently to bring the 21st century broadband to the doorsteps of our community residents and businesses.

Highlights for 2011 include:

– The WiredWest Communications Cooperative Corporation was established in August, and currently has 24 Western Massachusetts member towns that have passed the Municipal Light Plant legislation. Eighteen additional towns are in the process of voting and/or joining. Voting requires each town to conduct votes at two town meetings that must pass with two thirds majorities. So far, most towns have passed it unanimously or close to it.
– Bylaws and policy guidelines for the Cooperative were drafted and adopted.
– Approval of WiredWest Articles of Incorporation by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
– The following groups within the WiredWest Cooperative were established to complete tasks and provide guidance to the project:
o Executive Committee
o Board of Directors
o Working committees
o Advisory Council
– Development of a working pro-forma. This 30-page document is a set of projected financial statements in a dynamic format that enables easy modification of inputs.
– Development of an FY 2012 operating budget
– Award of a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to be used towards a market study, engineering survey, mapping, and procurement support.
– Award of a $2,500 grant from the Central Berkshire Fund.
– Pledges of $105,000 of matching funds and in-kind services to support the project
– Donations of $9,000 in direct donations and underwriting
– Development of a procurement plan for key vendors and services, as required under Massachusetts 30B, the Uniform Procurement Act.

Our ongoing work is focused on finalizing our business plan and its underlying assumptions, and completing tasks for the MBI grant. We will be issuing our first Request for Information for engineering services before the end of the year and also will have a new brand identity for 2012.

Plans for 2012:
2012 will be another busy year, focused initially on finishing the business plan and procuring partners for our financing team and operation of the network. We expect to have the business plan and engineering survey completed by April 1, 2012, and will keep you posted on key developments, especially progress on financing and buildout plans.