Jim Cupples
Hometown:
Springfield, Oregon
Connect: LinkedIn
Jim is excited to collaborate with two host organizations where he can learn new things while leveraging his background in broadband and supporting rural communities. With the country’s income/wealth gap widening, he believes in the importance of helping everyone achieve income that allows them to enjoy their lives and live with dignity; expanding broadband is one critical facet to collectively uplift communities.
Jim Cupples has a long career in technology as well as manual trades. Jim has worked in a large union (Teamsters) and elected to leadership levels on the shop and union wide levels. Jim later attended the University of Oregon graduating with a BS in Political Science. Since graduation, Jim has held positions of executive leadership in nonprofits and technology companies. Jim’s focus in technology has been in data collection for publicly elected offices throughout the United States and sharing ballot access procedures for candidates.
ERC Project
Project Title:
Broadband Equity: Access and Adoption & Clean Energy Locomotive Conversions and Job Creation
Host Community or Region:
Washington
Host Organization:
Tri County Economic Development District (TEDD), in collaboration with Port of Pend Oreille (dba Pend Oreille Valley Railroad)
The Tri County Economic Development District (TEDD) project addresses a critical need for enhanced broadband access in Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Ferry counties in Washington state. This initiative is pivotal as many residents in these regions, including Spokane, Colville, and Kalispel Reservations, are either underserved or entirely without broadband services. TEDD has secured over $12 million in grants from the Washington State Broadband Office, with additional funding projected. The project's significance lies in its alignment with the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and its potential to elevate economic prosperity through improved connectivity. The ERC Fellow will play an instrumental role, engaging with key regional stakeholders, managing broadband projects, and supporting grant writing efforts. In addition, the fellow will support Port of Pend Oreille’s efforts in expanding their operations and specialized services in locomotive clean energy conversions to help railroad operators update their fleet meet clean energy requirements; to ensure the local workforce could benefit high wages and technology skills that this niche opportunity offers, creating apprenticeships and training programs is critical.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
