San Rafael, CA – Digital Marin, an effort to develop a countywide roadmap to achieve digital equity for all, is hosting an online community forum Thursday, December 9, about equitable access to the internet. Thousands enjoy strong internet access in Marin County, but thousands more don’t.
Digital Marin began in 2020 to help promote equitable access to the internet.Access to high-speed internet, digital literacy, and devices is needed to end the digital divide. With a recent needs report finalized and posted on GoDigitalMarin.org, the team is ready to present a draft strategic plan to the community. Anybody who lives, works, owns a business, attends school, or has other interests in Marin is invited to join members of the Digital Marin Executive Steering Committee at the forum. The committee plans to share the draft plan, listen to comments, and answer questions.
The session is to run from 5:30-7 p.m. Participate in the forum on Zoom. The webinar ID is 933 7102 3711, and the passcode is 915877.
Officially launched in December 2020, Digital Marin has set the following goals:
- Everyone in Marin has access to high quality, affordable internet and knows how to use it.
- Local networks and connections can survive a disaster.
- Communities are better served through collaborative services.
- Online services are easy to use and work for people.
The collaboration is driven by an 11-member steering committee comprised of residents and leaders from government agencies, nonprofits, health care, education, and business sectors. The committee oversees an inclusive process for seeking input and feedback from the community. Magellan Advisors is contracted to help develop the strategic plan. A fellow from the Marin Promise Partnership is supporting the effort as well.
The Digital Marin team has distributed a community survey, conducted focus groups, interviews, and sector-specific surveys with various stakeholder groups in Marin. The County of Marin is part of the cross-sector effort to develop a countywide strategic plan to address digital equity gaps look beyond infrastructure needs, identify opportunities for data sharing, efficiencies, resiliency, and digital service improvements.
Interested in getting involved? The community is invited to learn more at www.godigitalmarin.org and follow on Twitter @GoDigitalMarin.
For disability accommodations please phone (415) 473 2614 (Voice), CA Relay 711, or email the Digital Marin staff in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.