Bourne Digital Equity Plan

Start Date: 2023

The Bourne Digital Equity Plan is complete.

Vision Statement: All members of the Bourne community will have the opportunity and ability to access reliable, affordable, high speed internet service, and will have the knowledge and skills to access and utilize devices that are appropriate to fulfilling their individual needs safely and adequately. This is essential to full personal, civic, and economic participation in the community.

Goals: High-quality connectivity | Increased device awareness | Universal skills, safety, and language | Community leadership and collaboration

The vision and goals for the Town of Bourne Digital Equity Plan were synthesized from a robust community engagement process. Recommendations provided within this plan seek to realize this vision through actions that will further the goals. The Town of Bourne’s vision statement and goals complement those as outlined in the Massachusetts Digital Equity Plan. The statewide plan, and Commission participation in the statewide planning process, has informed the development of the Town of Bourne Digital Equity Plan and will guide future implementation actions.

Overview
The Plan

Overview

The Town of Bourne worked with the Cape Cod Commission to develop 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.

Presentation: Bourne Community Workshop, Nov. 13, 2023

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.”

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Internet Connection Icon

Digital Skills Icon

Internet Connection

Affordable, fast, reliable, accessible.

Devices

Adequate, needs-appropriate, affordable, accessible.

Literacy/Skills

Ability to use technology, functionality, trust, privacy concerns.

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