Next Century cities
Working to close the digital divide since 2014
Almost two decades after its founding, Next Century Cities now boasts over 220 members across 40+ states. Our work now spans the wide variety of issues affecting connectivity and municipal governments. Across our growing policy and program team, we partners with members to tackle issues including broadband access and adoption, digital inclusion, digital equity, privacy, spectrum allocation, civic engagement, and more. We advocate for our members before Congress, the White House, the Federal Communications Commission, and in state capitals and governor’s offices across the United States.
In 2013, a number of local leaders convened in New York City to discuss the creation of a new organization focused on supporting municipal governments through city-to-city collaboration around next-generation networks.
Next Century Cities officially launched on Monday, October 20, 2014 in Santa Monica, CA. The inaugural members were joined by local, state, and federal advocates, policymakers, and Chairman Tom Wheeler of the Federal Communications Commission. The 32 original members include:
Ammon, ID
Auburn, IN
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Centennial, CO
Champaign, IL
Chattanooga, TN
Clarksville, TN
Jackson, TN
Kansas City, KS
Kansas City,
Lafayette, LA
Leverett, MA
Lexington, KY
Louisville, KY
Montrose, CO
Morristown, TN
Mount Vernon, WA
Palo Alto, CA
Ponca City, OK
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Rockport, ME
San Antonio, TX
Sandy, OR
Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Monica, CA
South Portland, ME
Urbana, IL
Westminster, MD
Wilson, NC
Winthrop, MN
Next Century Cities’ Original Vision Statement
A bipartisan, city-to-city initiative dedicated to ensuring the availability of next-generation broadband Internet for all communities.
Next Century Cities, Two Decades Later
Our growing network
- A membership base of over 220 municipalities across the country
- A dedicated and passionate team of policy and program professionals
- A continued commitment as the only nationwide municipal connectivity network
- An increasing number of events and programs designed to connect local leaders from coast to coast
- A sustained goal of elevating voices of local leaders to every level of government