Will Partnerships Bring Digital Equity to Rural America?

More partnerships are being launched to combat the digital divide, and experts believe these collaborative efforts will continue to be an important part of the solution in rural America. Partnerships like Tucson Connected and The Town Link program in Oakland (CA) have demonstrated how local governments can partner with community organizations to offer individuals access to broadband and devices — as well as the necessary skills to make the most of these tools. For rural Americans, a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2021 found only 72 percent say they have access to a broadband Internet connection at home. So while stakeholders look optimistically — or skeptically — to the money coming to states and localities from the federal level through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), there is work to be done to ensure that this money is distributed in an equitable way. While some connectivity challenges are unique to rural communities, partnerships can help support adoption within communities through skills training, awareness campaigns and more.