BRPC Economic and Community Development staff are supporting the state’s broadband agency, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), and communities across Berkshire County to realize state, regional, and municipal-level digital equity efforts. Key projects have included:
Massachusetts Internet for All Plan
Municipal Digital Equity Planning
Municipal Digital Equity Implementation
Asset Mapping
Broadband Expansion and Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Program
Digital Equity Partnerships (with the Alliance for Digital Equity)
BRPC’s primary work has focused on writing Municipal Digital Equity Plans. A Municipal Digital Equity Plan involves identifying the digital access (broadband – fiber or cable), adoption (digital skills), and affordability (internet service and computer devices) needs of a town’s residents and the assets (organizations and resources) the town has to address those needs then devising solutions to close the gap between the two.
Digital equity is achieved when all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy. It is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services (Source: National Digital Inclusion Alliance).
By making internet access, devices, and digital skills available to all, towns can also address issues like healthcare access, education, jobs, civic engagement, and social connection. To achieve digital equity, states and communities need funding and programs that provide affordable internet and devices, digital skills training, and widespread internet availability. (Source: MBI)
The communities BRPC has supported with digital equity planning include:
- Becket
- Clarksburg
- Dalton
- Great Barrington
- Lee
- Lenox
- Monterey
- New Marlborough
- Otis
- Pittsfield
- Sheffield
- Stockbridge
- Washington
- West Stockbridge
- Windsor
Following the publication of Municipal Digital Equity Plans, BRPC staff work with town leaders to craft actionable strategies that let them implement key plan recommendations aligned with one or more of the MBI-funded categories below:
- Staff Capacity for Digital Equity
- Wi-Fi Access and Innovative Connectivity Technology
- Public Space Modernization
- Connectivity for Economic Hardship
- Digital Literacy
- Device Distribution and Refurbishment
- Education, Outreach, and Adoption
(Source: https://broadband.masstech.org/digital-equity-implementation)
BRPC helped Pittsfield write its Digital Equity Implementation Plan and will be partnering with the towns of Dalton and Lanesborough to realize their plans by providing digital literacy training for residents and documenting the impact of that work.
BRPC’s Digital Equity Resource Guide, available to download at the link in the right-hand column, ensures all Berkshire County communities and organizations have access to digital equity information that benefits their residents.