Empowering People With Disabilities Through Digital Inclusion

Oct 18, 2021 | Accessibility for People with Disabilities, Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, California, Carteret County, Chula Vista, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, North Carolina, Oregon, Portland, State Policy

An increasing number of jobs, schoolwork, information, and government services have permanently migrated online as a result of the pandemic. While technological advancement makes a wealth of tools available that improve quality of life and enable aging in place, too...

Planning for California’s $6 Billion Broadband Investment is Underway. What Does Your Community Need?

Sep 24, 2021 | Blog Entry, Broadband Funding, By Corian Zacher, California, California Public Utilities Commission, Last Mile, Middle Mile, State Funding, State Policy

On July 20, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 156 into law, setting the stage for a $6 billion investment in California’s broadband infrastructure. The legislation includes $3.25 billion for a statewide open-access middle-mile network and $2 billion for...

The Link Between Labor and Broadband

Sep 17, 2021 | Blog Entry, Broadband Affordability, Broadband Speed, By Corian Zacher, Chattanooga, Connecticut, Department of Labor, Emergency Broadband Benefit, Florida, Labor Day, State Policy

Many states and local governments view digital connectivity as a necessary prerequisite for economic development. Small businesses, agricultural production, and manufacturing all require broadband to conduct daily activities. The pandemic shed light on the many ways...

Colorado Cities and Counties Join NCC in Presentations Before the Colorado Broadband Advisory Board

Aug 23, 2021 | Blog Entry, Breckenridge, By Corian Zacher, Centennial, Colorado, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, Fort Collins, Larimer County, public housing, Public-Private Partnerships, State Policy

On July 20, 2021, Mark Pfaffinger, Chief Information Officer for Larimer County; Richard Holt, City Councilor and Fiber Commission Chair for the City of Centennial; Shannon Haynes, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Breckenridge; and Chad Crager, Director of...

Expanding Broadband In the Rural South Requires Holistic Broadband Programs Coupled with Long-Term Community Outreach Strategies

Aug 9, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Francella Ochillo, Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion, Federal Policy, State Policy, Uncategorized

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies devotes its Technology Policy Program to exploring the impact and potential policy solutions that could improve digital outcomes for Black communities. In Joint Center’s latest publication on expanding rural...

Next Century Cities Stresses the Significance of Local Digital Equity Efforts Before the California Public Utilities Commission

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...