My home state of Vermont made me proud this week by bringing gigabit fiber connectivity to the lucky residents of the greatest state in the Union.

ENGADGET: Editor's Letter: Welcome to May

The funding is integral to a smart grid initiative and broadband service based on an open-connectivity fiber optic backbone network.

WHITEHOUSE: Recovery Act Investment in Broadband

The company still has power from 750-kilowatt diesel generator and Internet connectivity from a fiber optic connection, and Barnett has been regularly updating his blog with firsthand reports of the disaster and its aftermath.

FORBES: Ten Must-Read Tech Stories