Digital Opportunity
Digital Opportunity is the ability for citizens and businesses alike to be empowered to take full advantage of high-speed broadband service, once available to them.
Digital Opportunity
Digital Opportunity is the ability for citizens and businesses alike to be empowered to take full advantage of high-speed broadband service, once available to them.
By way of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration was able to make historic investments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to close the Digital Divide through a program known as Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD). The Commonwealth of Virginia is optimistic that their allocation of $1.48 billion will be able to connect every last citizen with high-speed broadband.
In addition to infrastructure, BEAD will also allow each locality to create a plan of action to enable community partners to rely on municipally created resources to better serve its constituents by adopting digital programs that create “Digital Opportunity”, closing the gap between people and businesses and resources that make broadband more affordable and easier to understand. More specifically, the needs of the following covered populations will be examined closely:
Individuals who live in covered households (defined as households with income of not more than 150% of the poverty level).
Individuals with disabilities.
Aging individuals aged 60 and older.
Individuals with a language barrier including individuals who are English learners and have low levels of literacy.
Incarcerated individuals (as defined by the State or Territory), other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility.
Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group.
Veterans
Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area.
About VAAPG
To make these federal resources available to localities, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has created the Virginia Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant (VAAPG). The final plan is a prerequisite for the upcoming Digital Capacity Grants, which will fund “shovel-ready” projects that have been identified as core solutions to the specific problems of each locality.
Mathews County was the first locality in the state to be awarded these funds, and planning commenced as of July 15, 2024.
The planning process entails the following four elements:
1) Asset Inventory
The asset inventory process involves identifying and cataloging key community resources, including educational institutions, community serving organizations, workforce development programs, and technological assets like public computers and internet speeds, to assess gaps and opportunities for improving digital equity and connectivity.
2) Needs Assessment
The needs assessment process evaluates a community’s digital access and technology requirements by gathering data through surveys, stakeholder engagement, and GIS mapping. It identifies existing initiatives, infrastructure gaps, and the necessary steps to enhance digital inclusion, building off of the results of the asset inventory.
3) Project Identification
This process involves analyzing the needs assessment to pinpoint specific initiatives that address digital gaps. This includes selecting device and digital literacy programs, as well as partnerships aimed at enhancing broadband access and fostering equitable digital opportunities for all. This plan will enable projects listed to be eligible for NTIA’s Digital Capacity funding.
4) Measuring Impact
Measuring impact involves tracking the outcomes of digital equity initiatives through key performance indicators, community feedback, and data analysis. It evaluates progress in improving broadband access, digital literacy, and economic opportunities, ensuring projects meet goals and benefit underserved populations. The plan will be officially adopted by the locality and updated annually.
Through both a data-driven approach, as well as collaboration with community partners, the County will identify the main issues facing each community in terms of digital access and create implementation projects that will be put forth for Digital Capacity funding. These projects could support existing or brand new programs.
Benefits of Participation
The success of this plan rides on the participation of the community – both as stakeholders and as beneficiaries.
The core focus of this plan is to identify, engage and empower organizations in the community that are already doing the work – and through collaboration, inject digital-focused projects to serve the community. This can be accomplished by adding onto what already works, or by coming up with creative ways to expand their reach.
Sample projects:
- Enhanced digital infrastructure for underserved communities, such as computer rentals or public wireless access.
- Improved access to tele- education, tele- healthcare, and tele-employment opportunities. Parter with community centers and libraries to host remote participation rooms with necessary equipment.
- Strengthened economic growth and community development by focusing on digital skills and literacy by partnering with local educational resources from universities and national programs - teaching things from basic computer skills to how to critically use AI tools or cybersecurity best practices.
List of potential benefits:
Eligibility for Digital Capacity Grants
Partnering organizations will qualify to apply for Digital Capacity Grants, which fund digital tools, training programs, and infrastructure improvements critical for community service delivery. Gain priority consideration for involvement in pilot programs and early implementation activities stemming from the city’s completed plan. Through project readiness and technical assistance by the City, participation increases eligibility for additional funding and resources from federal, state, and private programs.
Improved Service Delivery and Community Impact
Access to upgraded broadband infrastructure and digital tools allows for more effective service delivery, expanding the organization’s reach and creating a measurable impact in underserved communities. Use partnerships to enhance or launch digital literacy initiatives and secure resources such as hardware, software, and connectivity solutions for the organization and its clients.
Organizations can additionally strengthen their internal capabilities through access to workshops, training sessions, and resources to boost staff and citizen digital literacy.
Data Access for Strategic Planning
Leverage insights from County resources, GIS mapping strategies and the most-current demographic data to inform strategic decisions and develop targeted programs tailored to specific community needs.
Long-Term Sustainability and Impact
Benefit from a city-led strategy that promotes sustainable digital infrastructure, ensuring continued organizational effectiveness and expanded community benefits. Partner organizations will gain public recognition as leaders in promoting digital opportunity, enhancing their reputation and community standing. This plan intends to be supported for years to come, so partners will have a withstanding role in its continued development.
Community Partners
We are proud to collaborate with various community organizations, nonprofits, and private-sector entities to ensure the success of this initiative.
Get Involved! – Contact for Community Organization
To make your voice heard in the process, please reach out to the contact below. We would love to have as much community organization participation as possible to make citizens aware of all the resources available to them.
For Community Organizations:
Please contact Tyler Beekhoo from Broadband Telecom Services, the City’s Fiber and Broadband Consultant to learn more about the project, our process, current progress, and how you can be a part of it. Participation entails assigning at least one “Point-of-Contact” from your organization to participate in one 30-minute discussion every month.
Tyler Beekhoo, GIS Specialist and Digital Opportunity Planner
We Value Your Input
Citizens and Business Surveys
If you are a citizen, whether you fall into a covered population and need help with digital access and affordability, or if you are a broadband guru, we would love to hear from you to get an understanding of community. Please take about 15 minutes of your time to fill out the survey below. Every valid and complete response will be input into a random drawing to receive a $200 VISA giftcard. Please only fill out one per household. You must be 18 or older to participate.
For Constituents:
Please fill out the appropriate survey below so that your voice is heard in our planning process, and we can serve your specific needs.
Grant Details and Timeline
These are the current dates for some major milestone of the planning process. This initial timeline is based on a 9-month project duration.
2024
- July 18: Kickoff Call with DHCD
- July 30: Begin Asset Inventory, Needs Assessment Analysis, GIS Mapping, and Stakeholder Engagement
- August 15: Award Letter Received; Notify Core DE Team
- August 20: Complete Initial Setup and Stakeholder Outreach
- August 30: Finalize Survey Questionnaires
- November 2: End Survey Period and Compile Data
- October 29: Disseminate Surveys and Collect Responses
2025
- February 1: Begin Sharing Needs Assessment Results with Partners
- April 1: Define Implementation Strategies and Outcomes
- May 3: Finalize Plan and Share with the Public
- May 15: Official Completion Date
Interactive Map - Explore Covered Populations and Projects
These are the current dates for some major milestone of the planning process. This initial timeline is based on a 9-month project duration.
Current Plan Draft – For Public Input
Once completed, the draft plan will be available here for public input. Once comments are reviewed and incorporated, the final version will be hosted here.
Success Stories
Here are some examples of successful past digital opportunity projects that have made an impact on this community.
