Latest News on STW's Homeland Security Program

7/10/06 - Work begins on the formation of the proposal to DOL. Potential key partners are identified in each of the four regions. Potential in-kind sources are considered for match funding.

7/3/06 - DOL invites GITA to submit an unsolicited proposal for funding consideration.

6/27/06 - Representatives from GITA and Southern Tier West meet with Senatorial staff in Washington D.C. Senate staffers from the offices of Akaka, Clinton, and Salazar are present. Each staff indicates their willingness to support the proposal to DOL.

6/16/06 - Delta State University in Mississippi is added to the proposal to provide training development assistance for the final project.

6/12/06 - GITA is asked to submit a position paper outlining the proposed project to the US Department of Labor.

4/27/06 - Southern Tier West distributes draft list of Critical Data Needs for Homeland Security and Disaster Mitigation to task force members for review.

4/17/06 - Comments on the draft report are sent back to GITA.

4/10/06 - Southern Tier West receives draft GECCo report from GITA, summarizing the workshop held in February and outlining the next steps toward implementation.

3/30/06 - Richard Polatas from Verizon joins the task force.

3/8/06 - Southern Tier West creates a web presence for the project to aid in the dissemination of information about the progress of the initiative.

3/6/06 - Southern Tier West begins to explore the need for additional members on the existing task force. Several organizations that were not represented at the workshop could play a significant role in the continued development of the project.

3/3/06 - GITA provides Southern Tier West with a first draft of the perceived next steps to follow the workshop. The final report is expected within two weeks.

2/28/06 - Southern Tier West disseminates a follow up letter to all workshop participants, informing them of what will be happening next.

2/22/06 & 2/23/06 - The GECCo workshop is held at Southern Tier West. Representatives from state, regional, county, and local government, along with utilities and educational institutions participate. The event is sponsored by NYS Senator Cathy Young.

2/21/06 - GITA representatives meet with Southern Tier West staff to finalize scenario details and the presentation for the GECCo workshop.

2/9/06 - NYSCS&CIC is contacted about participating in the workshop and presenting what the state's efforts include.

1/13/06 - Conference call with NYS Senator Cathy Young to update her on the project and ask for her sponsorship of the GECCo workshop.

1/12/06 - GITA notifies Southern Tier West that it has agreed to perform a GECCo workshop in the region in support of the Digital Data Cooperative proposal.

1/4/06 - Southern Tier West and GITA participate in a conference call about the potential for having a GECCo workshop in the region.

12/14/05 - Southern Tier West meets with NYS Senator Cathy Young and introduces the idea of a digital data cooperative for the region. Senator Young agrees to support the project.