Hack to the Future: Why Hackerspaces Are Spark Plugs for Your Broadband Economy

Every community needs a hackerspace or two. This hot trend can easily add a low-cost, high-impact spark to a struggling neighborhood, or accelerate the economic impact of your broadband network. The hackerspace movement can even provide a pathway to affordable health insurance.

Gina Lujan, Founder of HackerLab in Sacramento, CA, explains how to easily start and maintain a viable hackerspace. You don't need much: an empty building or office space, electricity, some paint, a few tables and chairs - and a decent Internet connection, the faster the better. Invite people with good ideas, a dream and basic tech skills to bring their laptops. 

Gina outlines the key to success, some do's and don't's, strategies for funding and why letting the members run the show is the secret sauce that's making hackerspaces a winner across the U.S. She also lays out the basics for making hackerspaces a major element of broadband adoption strategies, and lets listeners know about a program that enables hackerspace participants to get lop-of-the-line healthcare at affordable rates.