A newly formed Alliance has formed in Chester County around digital equity. It is time for all residents to respond to a request to help the whole community.

For the past two years Jim Mercante and Joan Holliday have been volunteer advocates for digital equity across Southern Chester County. They have held several Digital Equity Coalition Zoom meetings with a cross representation of the SCC community in attendance addressing the internet issues and working on a strategy.

Digital equity was brought to light during the pandemic when students were left out with no or poor Internet connection to engage school classes; employees working from home were lacking adequate internet coverage and seniors were isolated in their homes without being connected to the world through internet.

During this time, a broadband assessment was completed in Southern Chester County and a digital literacy program was developed thanks to the SCC Digital Equity Coalition’s work. The digital literacy program is helping residents who are unfamiliar with digital technology. Employees from organizations who serve the low-income, non-English speaking residents and senior citizens were trained in basic computer skills so they could in turn train their clients, who trusted them. This training continues.

On February 02, 2023, a Southern Chester County Digital Equity Coalition Zoom meeting was held. An update was given on the SCC broadband assessment that was conducted by Magellan Advisors with information about the pockets of no internet coverage or poor coverage. Information about the twelve SCC non-profits participating in the RSVP digital literacy classes was given.

At this meeting, the announcement was made that a newstrategy was in place to address digital equity that included all of Chester County and that the Southern Chester County Coalition would be folded into theChester County Digital Alliance.

This means that all of Chester County will be included in the work, with the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) taking the lead. They will be given support bythe Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) and current volunteers, Joan Holliday, Jim Mercante and Cheryl Kuhn of the SCC Chamber of Commerce.

The Chester County Digital Alliance is preparing for a grant submission in the summer of 2023. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will provide $42.25 billion to expand high-speed internet access. This funding will go to the 50 states plus territories. PA will distribute funds throughout the state based on the greatest need with information provided by the community and other assessments.

As a first step to prepare for a grant proposal, the new Chester County Digital Alliance is seeking more granular data about poor or no internet or cell service to homes and businesses throughout Chester County. Each municipality was sent a letter on March 2, 2023 on behalf of the Alliance to reach out to their residents to learn of these problems. This outreach will continue for the next couple of months with follow-up phone calls.

If any resident in Chester County has problems connecting with the internet in one’s home or business or has problems with cell coverage when driving in certain areas of Chester County, email the information to Mary Francis McGarity (mmcgarrity@ccedcpa.com) from the Chester County Economic Council and provide the direct address of the problem.  No names are needed.

Recently, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan held an Internet and Broadband Town Hall at The Garage Community and Youth Center in Avondale, PA. She invited two key speakers–Pam Frontino from the newly formed PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) and Nicole Ugarte from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. (NTIA)

Both speakers told us about the funding for Broadband coverage being a once-in-a-generation investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This means every resident in the country needs to be paying attention and keeping informed about decisions that are being made in their communities. Rep.Houlahan commented that she is learning about the funding programs along with us and wants to be informed in order to help secure funding for her constituents.

In the near future,PBDA will be holding meetings around the state seeking input on the Plan that they have devised for providing high-speed Internet service to all. There will be news coverage and invitations sent out about these meetings. Taking into consideration the suggestions offered by the communities, PBDA will provide specific guidelines for grant proposals.

Every day we hear about how technology is advancing and being used in every field of endeavor. Hosting virtual meetings for business and social connections; telehealth sessions; educational classes online; church services online; web searches for resources; shopping online; business marketing and so much more. The pandemic has sped up the clock and here we are, viewing broadband coverage as essential to our daily lives possibly expanding into a public utility.

Become informed.Provide the address information needed to identify poor internet service. Volunteer as digital literacy teachers.Advocate for those who need the support to get up to speed with technology both with connectivity and literacy.