Full Description
The US faces a deep digital divide which cuts across both urban and rural lines, but is most marked in rural, low income, and minority communities. This book presents a multi-level governance framework which explores how local leaders use policy opportunity and community resilience to address inequity in broadband infrastructure. Cases from communities across the US are profiled to show how local and regional initiatives address the digital divide - how they harness local resources, state and federal funding, and how they navigate regulatory restrictions and financial constraints. Special attention is given to rural and Indigenous communities, where the technological, organizational, and funding challenges are greatest. The federal policy landscape for broadband is changing, and this book provides clear insights on how policy can support the people and places left behind. This book is essential for planners and those studying or working in rural development, rural studies, and community development.
The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) 4.0 license.
Contents
Preface Part 1 Policy and Theoretical Background 1. Why Does the Digital Divide Persist in the US? 2. Federal-State Realignment of Broadband and Digital Equity Policy in the United States 3. The Importance of State Policy Design Part 2 Local Initiatives Lead the Way 4. Framework for Local Action 5. Minnesota - An Early Leader in Addressing Rural Broadband 6. Colorado and Maine - Regional and Middle Mile Approaches 7. Getting Around Preemption: The Power of Public-Private Partnerships Part 3 Institutional Leadership for Digital Equity 8. Indigenous Leadership in Addressing the Digital Divide 9. Outreach and Education Responses to the Digital Divide: Research and Action through Cooperative Extension Part 4 Implications for the Future 10. A New Policy Window to Center Digital Inclusion
