The Connected Coast Summit Series is designed to help develop a future vision of economic recovery and resilience for those Coastal Bend Communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey.



Session 1: Delivering on Broadband Possibilities




The Broadband Summit is the first of four summits to be offered as part of the Connected Coast Summit Series delivered by the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center in collaboration with the United States Economic Development Administration. The summit will provide Coastal Bend communities an understanding of the role that broadband plays in resilient community development. An overview of best practices for the use of broadband technology, reasons for closing the digital divide, and funding opportunities will be provided.

Session Presentations (click to download)

Welcome - Presented by Dr. Kent Byus
USDA - Rural Development - Presented by Joe De Leon
Legal Issues - Presented by David F. Brown
Framework for Building Government-Owned Fiber Network - Presented by Gabriel Garcia
EDA Program Portfolio - Presented by Robert Peche
Digital Inclusion for Economic Development - Presented by Jordana Barton
Secrets of Success - Presented by Gene Crick
Resilient Communications for Public Safety - Presented by Dr. Andrew Afflerbach
Broadband Network Design, Business Model, and Partnership Strategy - Presented by Dr. Andrew Afflerbach


Session 2: Infrastructure Summit




The Infrastructure Summit is the second of four summits in the Connected Coast Summit Series delivered by the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center in collaboration with the United States Economic Development Administration. The summit will provide Coastal Bend communities an opportunity to discuss infrastructure best practices with World Leaders in the development of resilient infrastructure planning and project implementation. Plus, it is an opportunity to interact with the experts from the Center for Infrastructure Renewal and to learn of its capabilities and services. The Center for Infrastructure Renewal is an asset that is available to every community in the State of Texas. Bring your projects, bring your ideas for projects, bring your questions about infrastructure, and join in the Connected Coast Summit.

Session Presentations (click to download)

Should We Build for the "Big One"? by Dr. Jim Lee & Amanda Torres
Center for Infrastructure Renewal by Zachary Grasley
Infrastructural and Community Resilience on the Coast by James Kaihatu
Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard by Dr. Philip Berke, PhD & Jaimie Hicks Masterson, AICP
Resilience - Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy by Ann Lopez
Multifamily Affordable Homes for Families and Single Adults


Session 3: Innovation of Technology Summit




The Innovation of Technology Summit will introduce and emphasize ways for communities to empower entrepreneurship, expand employment, enhance economic activity, and identify educational priorities. Together these opportunity seizing methods may assist with long term economic recovery and resilience.