About Connect SI
Connect SI is a collaborative, regional economic strategy for the southern 20 counties of Illinois. The initiative is built upon broadband connectivity, with the concept that our dispersed assets can be connected to make our region a driving force in the world economy. The goal of the project is to produce measurable, transformative, and sustainable results that will allow Southern Illinois to thrive rather than simply survive.
Our strategy focuses upon high speed broadband infrastructure. To simplify, we must accomplish three things: 1) encourage investment in the infrastructure, 2) convince Southern Illinoisans that they need high speed broadband access, and 3) encourage our residents to use this infrastructure to grow our economy. When competing in today's knowledge-based, global economy, our competition is no longer the next county or the bordering state, but foreign countries or regions of the world. Combining our assets through high speed broadband infrastructure creates a larger community with stronger resources, enabling us to compete on a larger scale.
Connect SI is designed to be collaboratively funded by all local constituencies because in a globally connected society, every citizen is a player. Connect SI cannot succeed if it relies solely on state and federal grants. Rather, if individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities invest in the program, it will be in their vested interest to see the project succeed and sustain. In addition to using local investments of time, talent, and treasure, we hope to leverage state and federal resources to grow and sustain the project.
Thanks to the leadership of Southern Illinois University president Dr. Glenn Poshard and Man-Tra-Con Corporation, Connect SI has been able to bring jobs, educational opportunities, and youth programs to southern Illinois by creating community programs such as Lead SI, Project NetWise, Southern Illinois Online Nursing Initiative (SIONI), and I Want My Broadband.
Man-Tra-Con and SIU continue to be invaluable partners in the continuous development of Connect SI. SIU is serving as the permanent home for the Connect SI initiative, contributing office space, staff, and other in-kind assistance. The involvement of the university is crucial because of the far-reaching, universally-respected influence of SIU. Man-Tra-Con provides staff, facilities, and resources to support and strengthen the initiative. These tools have led to the development of many sustainable job opportunities for southern Illinois residents.
Connect SI has a vision that focuses on a triple bottom line, economic prosperity, social prosperity, and environmental prosperity. It will truly change the way we live and think in Southern Illinois. Connect SI will not only help us link our assets to make us work like one region, but it will also help us link our minds to give us one vision for the future.