12-13-11 Jobs – the lack of them and the plans to create them – are the focus of the public, the press and the one or two real political contenders in this primary season. New York Times columnist Tom Friedman argues in his Sunday December 11 column that broadband infrastructure and connectivity is a key component of job creation, especially for anyone hoping to make a living in the global information age in which we live.
Friedman features the work of Harvard’s Howard Katz who argues that the growth of regional hubs – like Austin, Silicon Valley, Raleigh-Durham – are the model for 21st century job creation, especially for knowledge workers. Mr. Katz’s conclusions mirror the work of TIA, and organizations such as Connected Nation, OneEconomy and others who at work throughout the country actually implementing this hub concept in one degree or another.
As president of TIA, Grant Seiffert oversees the policy, standards, tradeshow and marketing efforts for the leading advocate in Washington, D.C., for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. 
Cheryl Blum is the Vice President, Technology and Business Development at TIA.
