To celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, we’re kicking off “Close to Home,” a Q&A series focused on digital access and equity in the tri-state. Follow along to hear local perspectives on the issue in the greater Chattanooga region.

October 4-8, 2021 is Digital Inclusion Week! We’re thrilled to join the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) as they work towards digital equality throughout the country. Recently, the NDIA shared their definition of “Digital Inclusion Ecosystem.” We’ve published a blog entirely devoted to this concept, which you can access here.

To quickly summarize, the NDIA defines a Digital Inclusion Ecosystem as “a combination of programs and policies that meet a geographic community’s unique and diverse needs.” We understand that to achieve this status, there is a lot of work that still must be done in our communities.

As we work towards creating this ecosystem, we reached out to several stakeholders across the region to hear their perspectives on the digital divide and opportunities in their communities. First up, Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer McCurdy to hear her thoughts on where her community currently is digitally and what having digital equality would mean for Fort Payne, Alabama. 

Q: How could your work benefit from being in a community where there was no digital divide?

A: As a Chamber of Commerce, I feel the most significant impact would be on our workforce development. While connectivity isn’t the issue, as our broadband infrastructure is comparable and better than most surrounding cities, it’s affordability that most impacts our community. Aside from affordability, digital literacy would also solve barriers in our workforce development. 

Q: What are the next steps that need to be taken to address the digital divide in your community?

A: We are currently in the middle of a grant through rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) that provides a Digital Navigator for DeKalb County to help identify gaps in Digital Inclusion. The goal is to provide technology and technical assistance where gaps are identified and through the grant hopefully fill some of those gaps. Ideally, we would continue the program through local funding after the grant monies are exhausted.

Q: What is your community’s greatest digital need? 

A: WiFi affordability within homes and device affordability.

Q: What would having total digital equality mean for your community? What opportunities would this present to its residents and industries? How could this impact its economy? 

A: Within the school system, children would have WiFi in their homes and the same opportunities to complete work and communicate with their teachers as other students have. Hopefully, their parents would also have computers and access to ongoing educational training to up their skillset and increase income within their family unit. This all contributes to a more successful community and more tax dollars spent to go back into the community.

Q: The pandemic has really highlighted the extreme digital inequality issues we have in our communities. What are some of the most pressing digital issues that need to be addressed coming out of this pandemic? 

A: Inequality in affordability of internet access and technology. Students unable to afford internet services fell behind in their studies. We need free community training programs for parents to help them learn computer skills that will enable them to apply for jobs and stay engaged with their children’s teachers and schools

Q: What does a community without a digital divide look like in your eyes?

A: Most certainly more thriving.

You can also find additional information about Digital Inclusion Week on the NDIA’s website. 

Communities throughout the greater Chattanooga region are at different points in the journey to digital access and equity. Some have greater access to broadband and the devices they need than others. As we work to address these challenges and issues, we invite you to join us.