How communities can bridge the digital divide | Cornell Chronicle

"With two-thirds of its households lacking broadband access in 2019, Brownsville, Texas, ranked as one of the nation's "worst-connected cities," according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. The pandemic further exposed that deficit, with most of the city's workforce unable to work remotely. Determined to address the problem, a new mayor and advocates leveraged pandemic recovery funds to establish a public-private partnership and develop a "middle-mile" network, key to enabling connections and fostering competition."

"The city's successful strategy is among the case studies featured in " Bridging the Digital Divide in the U.S. Planning Innovative State and Local Approaches ," a new book edited and co-authored by Cornell researchers. They explain why many rural and disadvantaged urban areas remain "digital deserts" despite billions in federal subsidies promoting universal access, and share how community leaders have navigated policy and market challenges to meet their residents' needs."

Two-thirds of Brownsville households lacked broadband in 2019, leaving most workers unable to work remotely during the pandemic. Local leaders used pandemic recovery funds to form a public-private partnership and build a middle-mile network to enable connections and increase competition. The city's strategy improved infrastructure access and provided a model for other underserved communities. Many rural and disadvantaged urban areas remain digital deserts despite billions in federal subsidies aimed at universal access. Community leaders navigated policy and market barriers to expand connectivity and promote broader social and economic inclusion through local solutions.

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