Aug 2, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Francella Ochillo, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, Municipal Broadband, NCC Conference
Jonathan Paz is a Ward 9 City Councilor in Waltham, Massachusetts. Boston born and Waltham raised, his engagement with and deep focus on Waltham’s working classes provides him with a critical understanding of the role that equitable broadband access and adoption can...
Jul 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, NCC Conference
States have played a significant role in supporting communities as they work to build out new networks and upgrade existing broadband infrastructure. Many states use a state broadband offices to centralize efforts. Until the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 5,...
Jul 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, NCC Conference, NTIA, Resources
One of the largest barriers that communities face in accelerating broadband deployment or launching adoption programs is the lack of funding. Local officials are oftentimes unaware of all of the funding opportunities that are available to them or lack the capacity to...
Jul 28, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Medvis Jackson, Digital Divide, Digital Equity
A bold, connected future is possible when we embrace new ideas, support innovative processes, and develop effective partnerships. Those are several of the core takeaways from the July 21st Next Century Cities panel discussion on how ubiquitous broadband could...
Jul 28, 2021 | Austin, Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, NCC Conference, Texas
In Austin, Texas, local leaders tap into community knowledge and expertise through their groundbreaking Leadership Austin fellowship program. On July 21st, 2021, Next Century Cities hosted a virtual conference featuring local leadership from California, Kansas,...
Jul 28, 2021 | Blog Entry, Botetourt County, By Lukas Pietrzak, California, Chula Vista, COVID-19, Digital Equity, NCC Conference, Virginia
In March of 2020, local officials from California to Virginia led an unexpected and unprecedented switch to life-from-home as the COVID-19 pandemic raged across the United States. Overnight, schools, public meetings, and city services switched to remote capabilities. ...
Jul 28, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Brittany-Rae Gregory, COVID-19, Detroit, Digital Divide, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, NCC Conference, Telling Your Story
Detroit, Michigan, the largest city in the state of Michigan, is well-known for being home to Motown Music as well as the hub for American automobile production. However, as the world has been forced to go online, Detroit has gained notoriety for its vast digital...
Jul 28, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Fairlawn, Montgomery County, NCC Conference, Ohio, State Policy, Uncategorized
The County Seat of Montgomery County, Dayton, Ohio Ohio communities face numerous connectivity challenges related to both broadband access and adoption. The problems are not unique to rural or urban areas. Local governments across the state are using a variety of...
Jul 28, 2021 | Blog Entry, Broadband Mapping, By Brittany-Rae Gregory, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, Federal Policy, Models 101, NCC Conference, Spectrum, Uncategorized
Academic Pre-Conference Presenters and Moderator On July 20th and 21st, 2021, Next Century Cities held its first-ever virtual conference. The two-day event kicked off with an academic pre-conference in which presenters shared current research, covering a wide range of...
Jul 12, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, California, California Public Utilities Commission, Digital Equity, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, San Rafael, State Filing, State Policy
On Friday, July 2, 2021, Next Century Cities submitted comments with the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) elevating the importance of using local digital equity strategies to address historic and ongoing discriminatory practices. The CPUC sought...
Jun 29, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, By Lukas Pietrzak, Digital Divide, Digital Equity
Each June, communities around the world come together to recognize LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This month is dedicated to acknowledging the battle for equal rights for Queer communities and honors the legacy of activists of past and current generations. As Next Century Cities...
Jun 29, 2021 | Blog Entry, Broadband Mapping, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of bipartisan consensus that broadband is a necessity that households cannot afford to go without. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have come together to agree that access is a required for meaningful...
