Digital Equity

As broadband expansion efforts increase nationwide, digital equity advocates are working to ensure that urban communities are included. New federal funding opportunities are adding fuel to these efforts.

For Chicago Ridge Public Library, funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund has gone toward purchasing new laptops and Wi-Fi hot spots to help residents connect to the Internet.

After being put on hold in May 2022, the Internet Master Plan has been in a state of limbo as officials map the next steps. Another newly announced undertaking, however, promises to put a dent in the digital divide in the meantime.

Edmonds, who was one of the first digital inclusion directors for a municipal government anywhere in the United States, is taking a position as CEO of DigitalC, a Cleveland-based nonprofit that works on digital equity.

A nationwide survey of education and state leaders conducted by the State Educational Technology Directors Association revealed that cybersecurity and digital equity remain top issues for K-12 schools.

Plus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for a program that will invest $1 billion in rural high-speed Internet, Tennessee has announced $447 million in broadband investments, and more.

Three fiber-optic network providers that will offer high-speed Internet in Colorado Springs have launched construction or are poised to begin as they race to capture customers in various parts of the region.

Federal and state representatives were invited to a panel by Rep. Henry Cuellar regarding the nationwide expansion of broadband connectivity and accessibility, emphasizing new guidelines for what high-speed means.

GovTech checked in with Boston; Mesa, Ariz.; and Oakland, Calif., to get a sense of what some of the newest things happening in digital equity are across the country, as cities continue to prioritize the digital divide.

Appalachian Power filed a request with the West Virginia Public Service Commission to increase its broadband surcharge rates by $3.6 million in order to fund the expansion of broadband service to 13,000 unserved customers.

Plus, the Colorado Broadband Deployment Board distributes a historic amount of funding; the New York Digital Inclusion Fund announces five innovation grants; a new program offers broadband support training for communities; and more.

Service providers in Vance, Granville and Warren counties are getting millions in so-called Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grants from the state to offer more affordable service to some residents.

The grants will go toward launching the National Digital Navigator Corps, a training model aimed at helping members of recipient communities get access to Internet connectivity, devices and digital skills training.

The Walla Walla Community Council is inviting community members to participate in a 26-week study focusing on access to broadband Internet and digital literacy for area residents, businesses and organizations.

Plus, funding for broadband continues to make its way from the federal government through the states, the Federal Communications Commission has announced even more broadband support, and more.

Around 19,000 homes and businesses in Ashland, Meads, Catlettsburg and surrounding parts of Boyd County are set to be equipped for high-speed Internet service, officials announced Monday.

Wi-Fi hot spots have become a technological lifeline for Seattle residents without consistent access to services of their own. The program, which started in 2015, allows anyone with a library card to use the devices for 21 days.

The St. Louis, Mo., public library system is adding 8,000 new wireless Internet hot spots and 1,500 Chromebooks for city patrons who don't have high-speed Internet or computer access at home.