Napa County is stepping forward to ensure its residents aren't left behind in the digital world. The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) has selected Napa County to receive a $20,000 Digital Equity Leadership Grant, aiming to eradicate the Digital Divide haunting various communities.
As reported by the County of Napa website, the grant is part of the Local Government Best Practices Check List Project and positions Napa County among 12 other counties and 24 cities and towns in California. This grant signifies more than just a monetary boost. It's a journey toward a digitally equitable society that assists those disproportionately affected by the lack of access to technology.
Mark Revis, the Napa County Broadband Manager, underscored the importance of these efforts in a statement to the County of Napa, "The Digital Divide is one of the most pressing challenges facing our community today. This grant will help us to reach out to disadvantaged populations within Napa County to make meaningful progress toward digital equity."
The fund will enable Napa County to participate in a "Learning Community" with other jurisdictions, fostering an environment where local leaders can exchange strategies and hold one another accountable for making tangible progress in digital inclusivity. According to the County of Napa, the collaboration aims to share knowledge and challenges, culminating in a comprehensive public report set to be released by June 2025.
Napa County's immediate plan for the grant includes putting the funds towards enhanced public outreach, specifically spotlighting digital literacy offerings at the Napa County Library and informing the community about broadband projects and affordable internet services, a critical step acknowledged by the County for bringing the internet within reach for all residents. The Digital Equity Leadership Grants are part of T-Mobile USA's commitment, following its merger with Sprint, to invest $5 million into such transformative initiatives. CETF partnered and directed $1.155 million into this project to make California's digital landscape more inclusive.
