Mayor Graham Richard will be a featured speaker at the Fiber-to-the-Home Council membership meeting and FiberFirst Minnesota workshop June 14-15 in Bloomington, Minnesota. Mayor Richard will discuss how communities can benefit from broadband technology. Mayor Richard will speak to government and business leaders from throughout Minnesota.

In 2005, Mayor Richard received the Fiber-to-the-Home Council's Star Award for being a leader in broadband technology. The Fiber-to-the-Home Council is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to educate the public on the opportunities and benefits of fiber to the home solutions.

“Broadband and fiber-to-the-premises make Fort Wayne more competitive in retaining and gaining jobs,” said Mayor Richard. “Fort Wayne is a national leader in using technology to improve services for residents and enhance the quality of life for our community.”

In addition, Mayor Richard will be in Chicago, Illinois, on June 14. Fort Wayne will be recognized for its commitment to lifelong learning, workforce development and innovation at an event hosted by Workforce Chicago 2.0. Fort Wayne city government has a Lifelong Learning Account program through the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. The program allows city employees to pursue education and training opportunities with financial assistance.