Digital Equity

More Californians are gaining access to broadband Internet, but Black and Latino households still lag behind their white counterparts, according to an analysis of the latest available American Community Survey data.

Plus, Ohio announces a cohort of counties for its BroadbandOhio Community Accelerator program; the White House prepares to welcome the 2022 U.S. Digital Corps; seven new communities join U.S. Ignite; and more.

The Seattle Office of Economic Development has announced an expansion of the Digital Sales Access Program, which aims to help small businesses grow through access to technology tools and trainings.

The early results of a recent resident survey have highlighted at least two areas where Internet service is lacking. Crawford County has earmarked more than $3 million from recent federal funding to improve Internet access.

The Port of Columbia is near the end of a project to connect all homes in Dayton, Wash., and the surrounding areas of Columbia County to high-speed Internet service. Officials expect to offer service in early 2023.

Officials in the county are asking residents to check their level of Internet service against the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Map. Discrepancies and errors in the coverage map can be reported until June 13.

Onondaga County, N.Y., will issue a request for proposals asking Internet service providers how they plan to connect 1,500 rural residents with broadband service. The effort has a budget of $15 million.

Plus, the FCC proposes new rules for broadband funding and transparency; Philadelphia launches a single-phone-call learning campaign for adults; Baltimore establishes an office of infrastructure development; and more.

Maine has funded projects that will provide high-speed Internet to tens of thousands of homes that lack it now, but stiff competition for federal funding and economic problems may slow progress down.

Plus, the FCC has launched a new help center with tutorials for broadband data collection; a new USDR report details experience of applying for child-care benefits; Minnesota to invest $200 million in rural broadband; and more.

The federal government’s historic investment in broadband could fall short of its goals if it doesn’t improve digital skills. A leading expert explains the importance of digital human capital.

City officials recently signed a letter of intent with Meridiam to provide a minimum of 1 gigabit of broadband service. Construction on the fiber network is expected to begin this year.

County commissioners heard an update on the project to extend Internet service to under- and unserved parts of Cass County. The work is being done by Miami-Cass County REMC, a member-owned electric utility company.

In 2019, the latest data available, almost 70 percent of students in Detroit did not have access to the Internet in their homes, while Census data shows that one in four Detroiters lack access at home.

Officials in Westmorland County will use $600,000 of ARPA funding to help identify areas without adequate Internet access, develop a broadband plan for the county, and partnerships with private companies to expand service.

DigitalC, previously known as OneCleveland, and later OneCommunity, had a track record of delivering high-speed Internet to Northeast Ohio. In 2012, the group had connected 2,300 schools, libraries, hospitals, and more.

County commissioners have plans to spend $10 million in federal ARPA funding to supply high-speed broadband to households lacking adequate Internet access. Some 45 percent of residents currently lack access.

Plus, the NTIA introduces a tribal broadband planning toolkit; a new online tool helps communities find opportunities for broadband funding; a new database tracks state-level broadband legislation; and more.