News release from Dogwood Health Trust:
Dogwood Health Trust today announces 10 local collaboratives as part of its Digital Opportunities Initiative. The collaboratives are one part of a larger, more than $7 million effort to make broadband internet available, affordable and useful for everyone in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina. Each was selected through an RFP process in 2024.
Recent data shows that one in five households nationally – which translates to approximately 80,000 households in Western North Carolina – lack internet connectivity, with many more facing limited access or missing critical digital skills and devices. This lack of access intensified following Hurricane Helene, which exposed the vulnerability of the region’s telecommunications infrastructure and highlighted how quickly communities without reliable digital access can become isolated.
“Helene laid bare just how essential reliable internet access is for our communities’ health, wellbeing and safety,” said Dr. Susan Mims, president and CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “This work isn’t just about internet access alone, it’s ultimately about connecting every one of our neighbors with community information, health care, education, job opportunities, housing or emergency services.”
Ten Collaboratives – Engaging Community Members to Find Solutions
The ten Digital Opportunities collaboratives will be led by the following organizations: Avery-Mitchell- Yancey Regional Library, Five Point Center, Haywood County Government, Land of Sky Regional Council (leading two collaboratives), Nantahala Regional Library, Southwestern Community College, Through the Trees, Vecinos and West Marion Community Forum. These “hub” organizations are joined by nearly 50 other organizational community partners in this work across Western North Carolina and will expand that network further over the next 18 months and beyond.
Each collaborative is building on digital equity plans developed by NC State University’s Institute for Emerging Issues and will focus on implementing strategies like:
- Providing access to devices and building skills to use them effectively (digital literacy)
- Building sustainable community partnerships
- Developing local leadership to champion digital inclusion for all residents
- Supporting workforce development and economic growth through improved connectivity
- Making high-speed internet available and affordable across the region
Dogwood will host the collaboratives monthly as a learning cohort. Together they will develop skills for leading community efforts to implement their local ideas, strategies and solutions. A strong implementation focus will be reaching people and communities that often face the greatest barriers to digital access, including rural residents, older adults, people of color, individuals with disabilities, people who speak English as a second language, justice involved individuals, veterans and families with lower incomes. The cohort gathered for their first meeting on Jan. 16.
Beyond the Collaboratives – Research, Infrastructure and Advocacy
In addition to the collaboratives, the Digital Opportunities Initiative will also focus on the following for the region: gathering research and insights on digital opportunities and challenges, attracting more capital for broadband infrastructure and deployment, and equipping decisionmakers with ideas and recommendations from local communities.
“We’re taking a comprehensive and ground-up approach to helping every person in our region gain access to and have the confidence to use the internet each and every day in a manner that contributes to their wellbeing,” said Sarah Thompson, vice president for economic opportunity at Dogwood Health Trust. “Our collaborative partners are deeply embedded in their communities and uniquely positioned to move solutions forward. Through collaboration and action, we’ll build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous region.”
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