Celebrating with You and Your Community

December 22, 2023

As we near the end of the year, we want to congratulate you on all of the great work that you have done to connect, educate, and advocate for your fellow residents. While reading this final news bulletin of 2023, we hope that you are encouraged and reinvigorated to continue the work in the new year. There are some great opportunities and resources below including details about our upcoming Bipartisan Tech Conference and an update to our State Broadband Policy Map. Warm wishes to you and yours this holiday season!

In May 2021, Next Century Cities released Broadband Mapping Across the US: Local, State, and Federal Methods and Contradictions. At that time, many states did not have a broadband office with full-time staff. While some states provided their own funding to develop broadband maps, others relied exclusively on federal data. 

In the two years since, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With a wealth of information available from state governments and many new faces in broadband offices across the US, NCC is developing a series of one pagers to help local leaders understand the broadband landscape in their communities. Spotlighting American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau provides local leaders with a communication tool to illustrate the relationship between poverty and the digital divide.

Explore our updated resources and interactive map below.

“The Internet is the essential tool for communication in today’s world. Today, Louisiana is one step closer to delivering affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service to all,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “I salute the ConnectLA team for developing a sophisticated and high-quality plan focused on creating jobs and building resilient networks that will serve the state for years to come.”

Mayor Brandon Scott announced on Monday FreeBmoreWiFi, a free, public WiFi network in the City, which will be implemented by the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity and funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The City aims to have the network up at all of Baltimore City's recreation centers by the end of 2024, with future expansion expected.

Barb Fuller is a former dental hygienist and political activist. Gary Munce is a musician and retired library manager of information systems. Driven by a spirit of paying it forward, together they have worked to address the digital divide in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Thanks in part to their efforts, by early 2025, every home in Washtenaw County is set to be connected with high-speed, fiber-based broadband.

Washtenaw County, in the southeast region of Michigan, is home to over 320,000 residents. Although the county is prosperous, youthful with a median age below 35, and is home to the University of Michigan, it faced a digital divide with more than 10,000 households lacking a broadband internet connection in 2018.

The State of Pennsylvania recently released their Digital Equity Plan for review and public comment. The comment period is open until January 8, 2024.

The California Department of Technology issued the state's first ever Digital Equity Plan as part of the Newsom administration’s effort to ensure, among other things, residents have high-speed Internet at home and in schools, libraries and businesses. The department is asking for public comment, which will remain open until January 25, 2024.

The Center for Indian Country Development developed the Native Communities Profile Tool. The tool's intent is to paint a holistic picture of Native communities and geographic areas, the tool aims to increase understanding of the rich variation across Indian Country and to support communities in telling their own stories. Connectivity amongst Native communities is one of the topics that can be explored.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces New Round of Applications for the Expansion of the ConnectHomeUSA (CHUSA) Initiative

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the opening of a new round of applications for the expansion of the ConnectHomeUSA (CHUSA) initiative. HUD is accepting applications from December 19th, 2023, until February 15th, 2024.

On January 11th, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET CHUSA staff will host a webinar on the expansion and application process. Register for the webinar here.

CAREER ROLES

Can Code Communities is hiring for five hybrid roles across New York State including Director of Trainee Services, Enrollment Coordinator, Trainee Success Coach, and Instrctor. Learn more here.

ELEVATING COMMUNITY-LEVEL

PERSPECTIVES

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Policy and Advocacy Office and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) announced a new Digital Inclusion Working Group for library workers to exchange knowledge around digital equity work taking place in all library contexts.  To join the working group, click here.

RESOURCES TO EXPAND ACCESS

AND ADOPTION

In 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will announce new programs to help advance digital equity in their communities. This forthcoming webinar series is designed to prepare the adult education sector for the programs.Learn more and register here.

Support Us

Everything Helps!

Be Sure to Follow & Share