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OPPORT IUWA one rr�� ... more �ho��e ��P�r�+�� I�v�r� �f�� Release • Grass Roots Organization Mobilizes Across the State 83I�wa Communities announce support for new non profit organization, Oppartunitylowa •"Essential infrastructure "for 21"' century jobs, Economic Development under review DES MOINES, Iowa — After several months of study and evaluation, citizen-leaders in dozens of Iowa communities have chosen to proceed with efforts designed to establish 1oca1 communication utilities in their communities. Working collectively within the framework of a new, non-pro�it organization called OpportunityIowa, grass-roots community teams have announced their intention to place the issue on 1oca1 ballots in November 2005. Leadership in 83 Iowa communities spanning 55 of Iowa's 99 counties have announced their support of this state-wide movement. Comprised of communities with existing communications utilities, and those seeking to fonn such utilities, OpportunityIowa represents approximately 25% of Iowa's homes and businesses and is the largest such initiative of its kind in the United States. OpportunityIowa has a prominent board of advisors including former Iowa Governors Terry Branstad and Robert Ray, former lowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell, C1ark MaLeod, founder and former CEO of McLeodUSA, University of Northern lowa President Robert Koob, and Catherine Dunn, BVM, PhD, President of C1ark College, among others. �i:�s�� on the premise that the communication line serving homes and businesses is 'essential infrastructure' for the 21" century, OpportunityIowa member-communities are challenging a 100 }Trr o1d paradigm in the communications industry. "Communities have always owned the infrastmct��'�'� required for delivering essential services," said Rick Young, co-chairman of an OpportunityIowa cainmittee in Waterloo. "Cities own and control the roads in their community, not the companie4 1 ik c �'edEx or UPS that use them to deliver their products and services. Similarly, most airports are o'�`''�'� by the communities they serve, not by the airlines that use them. In an infonnation-based econo�'t}', LF� communications line serving homes and businesses is no different. A city-owned communicatio"� utility is a logical extension of this traditional and important role of 1oca1 government." Opportunity�owa's mission is to provide communities with an alternative to the existing, privately-held communications model by forming a municipal communications utility via referenda next November. A successful referendum empowers 1oca1 government to create the utility as a city entity, and to set up a board of governance. However, the formation of a communications utility does not require or obligate a comrnunity to finance or deploy the physical assets needed to deliver services. "The tremendous grass roots support of OpportunityIowa, coupled with strong bi-partisan leadership, illustrates the importance and relevance of this issue in Iowa," said advisory board member Bonnie Campbell. "Ensuring that communities can deploy the critical infrastructure needed for continued prosperity is appealing regardless of political affiliation. We're demonstrating that Iowans can work together to make a positive difference in their community, and across the state. " "The potential economic development opportunities such an infrastructure creates is substantial, including retaining Iowa businesses that require affordable communications access while attracting new, higher paying jobs in information-based industries," added advisory board member Terry Branstad. "Collectively, citizens in our member-communities are creating the momentum that could reshape 4970 L�k�sidc Rd. Marion, IA 52302 �$77.Uhtii�'.iA ��77.22�.3'� 37 (fax) � infoQopportunityiowa.com