Overcome Being Overwhelmed: Building a Path to Connectivity in All Communities

We know it’s tough right now. But, especially so, for local community leaders who must wear multiple hats and try to solve the connectivity problem for everyone. “Most of us are a bit overwhelmed and getting caught up with back-to-back-to-back video calls,” said Tom Stephenson, Community Technology Advisor, Connected Nation. “On more than one occasion, I’ve been on a regional or community call when one of the leaders forgets which meeting they are in and starts discussing a totally different subject matter out of the blue. They forget what group they are talking to simply because they’re juggling so much.” For every community—whether urban or rural—ensuring internet connectivity for everyone is a challenge many local leaders have been chipping away at for years. However, when the pandemic forced most of us home, there was an urgency placed on finding ways to connect more families, businesses, and community organizations as soon as possible. Connected Nation, through its Connected Community Engagement Program, has worked with nearly 400 communities and surveyed more than 30,000 individuals nationwide to do one thing—develop Technology Action Plans that are specific to a community or region’s needs. The Connected program’s Technology Action Plans leverage input and data provided by residents, businesses, community organizations, and others to identify problem areas and solutions for expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access a community, county, or region.