Building a digitally equitable region

So much of our daily lives happen online - connecting with friends and family, paying bills, managing healthcare, completing school or professional work, and staying involved in the community. The Cape Cod Commission is working with several towns in the region to complete digital equity plans to ensure no one feels left behind in this increasingly online world.  Digital equity plans in Bourne, Sandwich, and Orleans are complete, and the Commission is currently collaborating with Barnstable and Falmouth. 

Barnstable residents share input during community workshop 

Barnstable residents came together for a community digital equity workshop at the West Barnstable Community Building on Tuesday, November 19. Attendees learned more about the plan and shared thoughts and experiences, including challenges accessing healthcare online and connecting to municipal activities and information. Attendees expressed a desire for more workshops and trainings on how to use devices and access the internet.  

Commission staff will convene additional focus groups, and then synthesize feedback from those groups, workshops, and stakeholder interviews to develop a draft digital equity plan that, when complete, will be presented to the public for further input.  

Falmouth residents invited to community workshop 

In Falmouth, residents are invited to attend a Digital Equity Community Workshop on Wednesday, December 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Hermann Meeting Room at the Falmouth Public Library. 

“We want to ensure that everyone in Falmouth—from the workers who drive our service economy to families with school-aged children, retirees, and those facing the high cost of housing—can stay connected and access the full benefits of the internet,” says Falmouth Town Manager Mike Renshaw. 

Learn more about the Falmouth plan by visiting cccom.link/Falmouth-DE. 

Sandwich earns Digital Equity grant 

The Town of Sandwich is one of 19 cities and towns across Massachusetts to share in $1.33 million in funding from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Sandwich worked with the Cape Cod Commission to create a digital equity plan that made them eligible for this funding.  

“Massachusetts is closing the digital divide by partnering with local governments and investing in every region of the state,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao in a press release issued by MBI. “By empowering communities, we're building a more equitable economy where all residents have the knowledge, skills, and tools to succeed.”  

Sandwich will use the nearly $65,000 grant to implement digital literacy classes at the Center for Active Living and the public library. The town will purchase laptops and Chromebooks to facilitate classes, as well as desktop computers to assist community members with walk-in technical needs at the library.  

Bourne prioritizing public WiFi 

Among the goals included in the Town of Bourne’s digital equity plan, finalized this spring, is a commitment to provide high-quality connectivity: reliable, fast, and affordable internet service available throughout the entire Town of Bourne. Town officials are taking steps to reach this goal; in November, the Select Board voted to prioritize public wi-fi and are now applying for grant funding for this program. 

Orleans adopts Digital Equity Plan

The Commission worked with the Town of Orleans in Spring 2024 to develop a digital equity plan. The Select Board officially adopted the Orleans Digital Equity Plan in November, and asked the Digital Equity Plan Kickoff Team to reconvene to evaluate the recommendations and prioritize actions for effective implementation, then report back to the Select Board with a strategic plan for advancing digital equity initiatives in Orleans.