ECD supports ConnectedTN

As reported here earlier, ConnectedTN and its parent company have gotten plenty of criticism, which was reported by The Wall Street Journal. Yesterday, the State Science & Technology Institute (based in Ohio) provided an even-handed review of the dispute in SSTI's weekly news update, including mention of Tennessee. Almost simultaneously, over at the Economic and Community Development agency led by potential Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Matt Kisber, ECD communications staff issued a news update that included a brief definition of ConnectedTN's duties, with no reference to the ongoing criticism of the company. ConnectedTN is working for ECD under a 3-year, $6.25MM contract that runs another year. ConnectedTN chief Michael Ramage recently told VNC he doesn't believe the criticism of the parent company and its service model is significantly affecting operations in TN. Ramage said he believes much of the criticism is typical of the kind of controversy and interests that swirl around public-private partnerships of all kinds.