Stockbridge Library and the Town of Stockbridge will be hosting a public input session to learn about the community’s needs in order to take full advantage of the economic, health, educational, and civic opportunities of high-speed internet access.
On April 13 at 3 p.m. at the library, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission staff will present on the statewide digital equity efforts, which will be accessing federal and state funding to improve high-speed internet access, address affordability challenges, and improve our community’s digital skill sets. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute is providing Stockbridge with the opportunity to apply for as much as $100,000 to improve internet access, skills training, and infrastructure. Input gathered at this session aims to identify how Stockbridge can best utilize those funds. The project is particularly focused on supporting populations who are most negatively impacted by the digital divide including people living in poverty, older adults, veterans, individuals with disabilities, people impacted by language barriers, members of racial or ethnic minority populations, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated, residents in rural areas, and youth.
This planning activity is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund.
