Bourne Digital Equity Plan
Overview
The Town of Bourne is working with the Cape Cod Commission to draft a municipal digital equity plan.
Digital equity efforts seek to ensure everyone has the same access and opportunities to the information technology needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy. The focus is on bridging the affordability of internet service and devices, building skills to use programs and equipment, increasing trust, and overcoming language or other barriers that keep individuals from fully participating.
What Is Digital Equity
“A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.”
This project was 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 Funds.
Purpose of the Digital Equity Plan
Digital equity plans prepare municipalities for future funding opportunities. Through the digital equity planning process, towns can develop strategies in a community-driven framework to ensure all benefit from future investments.
Public input and participation are essential to this process, enabling the town to incorporate and reflect the community's vision when advancing future initiatives and projects.
Plan Elements
- Introduction & Town Vision for Digital Equity
- Current State of Digital Equity. Existing conditions, knowledge gaps, challenges, and opportunities
- Stakeholder Engagement Process. Who was engaged and how were they engaged
- Objectives & Implementation Strategies. Recommendations for driving solutions
- Evaluation and Updates. How will we stay accountable for this work into the future
How to Get Involved (updated March 4, 2024)
The Cape Cod Commission and Town of Bourne have released the Draft Town of Bourne Municipal Digital Equity Plan for a 21-day public review and comment period.
The Town of Bourne’s Municipal Digital Equity Plan assesses the digital divide in Bourne and identifies opportunities to advance digital equity. The plan considers the affordability of internet service, access to technology necessary for participation in civic, social, and economic life, and the skills required for meaningful digital engagement. The goal of the plan is to prepare the town for funding opportunities and guide decision-making, investment, and implementation.
Members of the public are invited to review these documents and provide comments. The draft plan can be found at cccom.link/bournede.
Comments may be sent via mail, facsimile, e-mail, or online by March 25, 2024, as follows:
- Mailed:
Cape Cod Commission Attn: Steven Tupper, Deputy Director
3225 Main Street (Route 6A) | PO Box 226
Barnstable MA 02630-0226 - Sent by facsimile (fax) to the attention of Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, FAX: 508-362-3136
- Via electronic mail (E-Mail) please put “Bourne Digital Equity Plan” in the subject line and send to: info@capecodcommission.org
- Via online public comment form: www.capecodcommission.org/de-comments
Copies of the plan will also be available at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library and Town of Bourne Council on Aging.