Central Mass. communities selected for state broadband program to provide equitable internet access
Photo | Courtesy of Tim Doyle
Leominster City Hall
Five Central Massachusetts municipalities were selected to take part in a new program to help them identify and address internet availability and affordability, device access, and digital skills gaps in their communities.
On Thursday, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at Massachusetts Technology Collaborative announced Leominster, Charlton, Phillipston, Royalston, and Templeton were selected to take part in the first group of 35 municipalities to get support from the Commonwealth’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, which is a statewide effort to increase access, adoption, and usage of the internet. The program is specifically geared towards helping people who were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Thursday’s press release.
“We are committed to working with our partners in cities and towns across the state to make sure that the people of Massachusetts have the broadband connectivity, tools, and skills necessary to use the internet,” Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said in the release. “This statewide effort will help us provide communities with much-needed support so they can develop digital equity plans tailored to the needs of their residents.”
Funding for the program is provided via the Massachusetts Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs, passed into law in 2021. Here’s what the Central Massachusetts communities plan to do:
Charlton
Through surveys and public meetings, Charlton wants to identify underserved areas for internet/broadband availability and develop a plan to advocate for future expansion, and help guide advocacy efforts through the local Cable Committee. The plan will add capacity to build on digital equity initiatives and create an action plan on future infrastructure investments.
Leominster
Leominster wants to address families of school children that lack internet access and to get a greater handle on exactly who does not have access to the Internet for school and work purposes, while also assessing issues of affordability.
Phillipston
Phillipston will focus on seniors, review where the gaps are, and help in either access or assistance. It will look at digital training options and a potential centralized resource.
Royalston
Royalston will use the planning process to engage seniors. The Town will do it through surveys, which will gauge the population’s use of the internet and how it can make their lives more efficient and easier. The goal will be to provide opportunities and training to access the internet.
Templeton
Templeton will undertake an audit of internet access in town, including a review of internet speeds, throughput and fitness for long-term service, as well as a review of residents' usage to ensure equitable technological access.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments