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Special recognition celebrating Digital Inclusion Week.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, broadband services are essential infrastructure for the 21st century and play a crucial role in providing access to knowledge, education, healthcare, and opportunities from communities locally and around the world; and
WHEREAS, digital equity and inclusion ensures all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have the knowledge and technology needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy, and are necessary for civic and cultural participation, lifelong learning, and access to essential services, and
WHEREAS, the gap between those who have affordable access, skills and support to engage online and those who do not limits opportunity in all parts of life, and disproportionately affects people of color, Indigenous peoples, households with low incomes, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, and older adults; and
WHEREAS, over 3,870 Lake County residences and businesses are located in areas with unserved or underserved internet service, 19,400 residents do not have broadband, over 35,000 Lake County residents do not have a computer or laptop, and an estimated 72,000 Lake County households were eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, highlighting a significant need for broadband infrastructure and digital equity throughout our county; and
WHEREAS, the Special Committee on Broadband and the Lake County Board adopted the Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan in 2023, furthering Lake County's commitment to closing the digital divide through actionable strategies aimed to increase local coordination, remove barriers to internet access, improve device affordability, promote digital skills, and realize Lake County's vision for digital equity and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, since 2023, Lake County has advanced these strategies through the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative, which has provided over...
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