What a Digitally Equitable Minnesota Could Look Like—And How to Get There

In its recently released Draft Digital Opportunity Plan, the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) envisions a future where digital equity connects all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other. The three goals highlighted in the plan—connect people to people, connect people to information, and connect people to resources—are ultimately limited, nodding to the moments where connections happen rather than the real systemic work it takes to sustain connections. To do so, OBD says, it will take people working together across the state with this shared vision. This plan presents an informational starting point. Progress toward digital opportunity in Minnesota has for so long depended on two groups:

1. digitally resilient Minnesotans, that is, the people who live the digital divide every day, and
2. advocates and educators, the people who share a vision where digital equity connects all Minnesotans to opportunities, options, and each other.

Digital Connection Committees (DCCs) are the heart of Minnesota’s digital opportunity planning process.