The first broadband advisory committee meeting between Connect Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) took place this week, kicking off a new community effort to expand broadband access, adoption and use across the state.

Community leaders from around Iowa are now joining forces to oversee the expansion of high-speed Internet to every corner of the state.

Connect Iowa’s new broadband advisory committee includes elected officials, public service agency representatives, providers, educators, librarians and business people.

According to Connect Iowa’s latest broadband availability research, 37 percent of Iowa households still do not subscribe to broadband at home; 45 percent of Iowans living in rural areas do not subscribe to broadband service at home; and 23,000 Iowa