"Cox Communications and Cox Business are extremely proud to partner with the Urban League to help leverage this Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant," noted Mike Bolognini, vice president of Cox Business and Hospitality Network. Bolognini offered his remarks at a press conference held by the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League at the Doolittle Community Center on the occasion of its public announcement on Oct. 8 about the opening of 29 Nevada Public Computer Centers in underserved areas of West and East Las Vegas. Cox Business is providing 50 Mbps Internet service to all of the centers.

As part of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant provided $4.68 million to the Urban League earlier this year to create infrastructure that would bring computer classes, job training, language education and technology skills to low income residents. The City of Las Vegas, The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority and Cox Business are partners in the effort. Cox played a significant role in the completion and submission phases of the grant application.

At the press conference, Bolognini also noted, "Some surveys indicate that the biggest barriers to broadband adoption include the lack of a computer, the lack of Internet access, and a lack of knowledge about how to use the technology." He further explained that broadband technology and access to this technology is important for improving lives, and that Cox was proud to be the supplier of the Internet access that would help bring underserved areas of our valley into the Digital Age.

When the project is completed by the end of the year, each of the 29 computer centers will have between 13 and 15 computers. The facilities will provide free, no-reservation or time-limited access to the computers. Twenty-three trained support staffers will offer job, software and homework help.

Visit the Nevada Public Computer Center website at www.nvpcc.org for more information, and a list of computer center locations.

Cox opens new retail store in southwest valley

Cox employees from the Blue Diamond Cox Store pose alongside costumed characters at the grand opening.

Cox Las Vegas welcomed hundreds of customers to the grand opening of its new retail store in the southwest part of the Las Vegas Valley at 4072 Blue Diamond Road June 26.

The grand opening featured refreshments, colorfully costumed characters from the Cartoon Network including Cox’s popular little digital helpmates and mascot, “Digi.” Guests were treated to prizes, photos and other fun activities provided by Cartoon Network (Cox Channel 65), Starz (260), Showtime (240), Syfy (45) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion company.

The retail concept - referred to as a Solutions Store - store was designed according to new company standards that allow customers to learn about, experience and purchase Cox’s products and services. It includes a learning lounge that provides an opportunity to learn about Cox’s wide array of entertainment and communication products; a home theater area with living room seating that allows customers to enjoy Cox’s entertainment products, and a customer care area to aid customers with account transactions.

The Blue Diamond Solutions Store is located just east of Blue Diamond Road and Arville Street in the Blue Diamond Crossing retail center. Store hours are Mon-Sat from 9 am until 6 pm. Call 383-4000 for further information.

Cox Provides Exclusive Viewing to “Latino In America”

In partnership with CNN and the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, Cox Las Vegas hosted an advance screening of Latino in America at the Springs Preserve on Sept. 24.The documentary focuses on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the issues that face the community.

After the screening, an audience of some 100 individuals ranging from UNLV students to young adults and business professionals discussed their thoughts with a five member panel of community leaders and the documentary’s co-producer.

Las Vegas resident Ray Garza said he enjoyed the screening, but asked panelists about how to further open the doors of the entertainment industry to Latinos. "We have so much talent to offer, and I think that's an untapped resource," he said.

Panelists included UNLV professor Francisco Menendez; Irene Bustamante, director of construction diversity at MGM Mirage; Maggie Petrel, chief executive officer of Global Professional Medical Counseling; Rene Cantu, vice president of multicultural affairs for Nevada State College; and Kathy Slobogin, managing editor of "CNN Presents." The evening was hosted by Patricia Janoit, senior anchor of CNN en Español.

Cox Las Vegas helped make the Las Vegas screening possible to promote dialogue within the community about this important U.S. minority. In Clark County, 27.4 percent of the population is Hispanic/Latino according to the 2009 Las Vegas Perspective.

Latino in America is a two-part, four-hour production that will premier in English on CNN, Cox Channel 20, and in Spanish on CNN en Español, Cox Channel 139. Both versions air at 9 p.m. and 12a.m. ET/PT on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.

Teacher EXCHANGE™ receives $10,000 from Cox Communications

Accepting an oversized check from Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs at Cox (right) are Shari Scheele, director of development for The Public Education Foundation (left) and Linda Reese, director of educational  leadership and director of the Teacher EXCHANGE™ for The Public Education Foundation.

August 14, 2009--Cox Communications, Las Vegas, recently donated $10,000 to the Teacher EXCHANGE. The money was raised through a Cox initiative during a three-month campaign earlier this year in which Cox donated $10 for each new Cox service ordered by existing or new customers. This included orders for Cox Digital Telephone, Digital Cable or High Speed Internet.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Cox Communications and their support of our schoolchildren,” said Judi Steele, president of The Public Education Foundation.  “With Cox’s help, The Public Education Foundation will be able to provide more supplies and materials to local educators to enhance their classroom instruction during these challenging economic times.”

The Teacher EXCHANGE is a re-use center for Clark County public school teachers and administrators.  Donations of new and reusable materials, office supplies, surplus materials, computers, equipment and furniture are collected from businesses and individuals and provided at no charge to teachers to support classroom instruction.