Cromaine Director Recognized for Helping to Achieve a 'Connected Community'

Calling it an "exciting milestone for Livingston County and our economic future," Cromaine District Library director Ceci Marlow was recognized as one of the individuals who helped "lead the charge" in helping Livingston County achieve certification under Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagemet Program. 

“Broadband is the foundation for the new economy of entrepreneurship, Michigan's most exciting opportunity," Marlow said in a press release. "As a director of a public library, I also know that broadband is critical support for online learning—growing our next generation's leaders through technology and connection.”

Livingston County began working with Connect Michigan in the spring of 2012, by incorporating the Connected Community Program into the Advantage Livingston’s Placemaking Committee. 

Over the past year, the committee has reviewed current broadband coverage and adoption data, conducted surveys of local public institutions, introduced new broadband providers, completed the program’s broadband assessment and developed an initial action plan, according to the press release.

Based on these actions and high scoring through the assessment, Livingston County has achieved the distinction of becoming a Certified Connected Community, the 5th county in the state to qualify for this recognition.  

To obtain Connected certification, Livingston County had to meet certain benchmark scores in the areas of broadband access, adoption, and use based on the National Broadband Plan that demonstrate it is a technologically advanced community.