Digital Inclusion Plan Launches in Southeast Indiana
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The Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has launched what it says is Indiana’s first regional digital inclusion plan. The commission says the plan is designed to bridge the digital divide by making broadband existent, affordable and accessible for all people in the southeast Indiana region.
The organization says the initiative is a result of the State of Broadband Report that the Purdue Center for Regional Development conducted in 2019.
The goals of the plan include building and upgrading broadband and ensuring residents have access to quality, affordable, and reliable devices and technical support. The plan also aims to include connectivity, devices, and digital skills in regional economic development strategies to support a digital ecosystem.
“SIRPC works to improve the quality of life within Southeastern Indiana,” said Mary McCarty, SIRPC executive director. “It is our goal to assist in the development of a thriving economy within our nine-county region, and the digital inclusion plan is an integral part of this strategic effort. Our organization is thrilled to have the opportunity to move forward with the very first regional digital inclusion plan of this kind!”
The plan also offers a snapshot of the digital inclusion conditions in the region. According to the plan, about 95% of housing units in Dearborn County had access to 100/20 Mbps while less than 2% had access to the same speed in Ohio and Switzerland counties.
“Digital inequalities affect businesses, organizations, residents, and workers alike and if not addressed, may place a region at a competitive disadvantage,” said PCRD Director Roberto Gallardo. “I applaud the SIPRC region for taking the initiative to place their region at the forefront of digital inclusion.”
The SIRPC says its next steps will be to develop an action plan to achieve the goals within the next five years. The full SIRPC regional digital inclusion plan can be viewed by clicking here.