Building Community Capacity Through Broadband

Financial & Governance Models ofCommunity Area Networks

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Management of finances & assets• Governance

CINC Affiliated Organizations• City of Eau Claire• Eau Claire County• Eau Claire Area School District• L.E. Phillips Public Library• CESA 10• Chippewa Falls School District• Chippewa Valley Technical College• UW-Eau Claire• Chippewa County• City of Chippewa Falls• Elk Mound School District• Osseo - Fairchild School District• Indianhead Federated Library System• Wisconsin Department of Transportation• Mayo Health Foundation (Luther Hospital)• Hospital Sisters Health System (Sacred Heart and St. Joe’s Hospitals)• UW Health• Dove Healthcare and Rehabilitation

CINC Mission Statement

Through a coordinated regional communication infrastructure, position the Chippewa Valley to be innovative, competitive, and economically viable for present and future generations.

CINC Governance Principals

• Membership Agreement/MoU between all members – equal standing in the “Club”

• Includes:– What we have (Baseline Assets)– How do we allocate assets?– How do we acquire assets?– How do we add members?– How do we make decisions?– How do we document?

Office of General Counsel, University of Wisconsin System

Christopher AshleyDeputy General CounselUniversity of Wisconsin SystemE-mail: cashley@uwsa.eduPhone: 262-3662Office: 1220 Linden DriveMadison, WI 53706

Matthew LindAssociate System Legal CounselUniversity of Wisconsin SystemE-mail: mlind@uwsa.eduPhone: 608-890-32811220 Linden DriveMadison, WI 53706

2.One Partner Fiber Ownership

One existing public or nonprofit entity served by the CAN could simply agree to own the fiber and then spell out the shared nature of how that fiber will be managed through inter-governmental agreements (governmental agencies) or via a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for nonprofit entities.

3.Local contractor Fiber Ownership

The company that lays the fiber owns the fiber until there is a legal entity in place; alternately, the company that lays the fiber creates a long term lease arrangement (30-40 years) with CAN members.

4.Unincorporated Nonprofit Fiber Ownership

The group of entities being served by the community fiber could formally register as an unincorporated nonprofit association with the Department of Financial Institutions and appoint an agent to act on behalf of the association.

5.Incorporated Nonprofit Fiber Ownership

Formally incorporate as a nonprofit organization.

Building Community Capacity Through Broadband

March 15, 2011 – 10:00am – 11:30amCare and Maintenance of Community Area Networks