Digital Equity Initiative Aims to Close Arlington’s Digital Divide

The Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) has launched a new initiative to provide strategy and coordination in Arlington’s pursuit of digital equity. While Arlington is generally well-served by broadband infrastructure, older adults, low-income residents, and people of color are disproportionately impacted by user issues and lack of access. Targeted investments will help realize a vision of digital equity, where all residents have affordable, reliable access to high-speed broadband internet and the necessary devices and skills to participate in the community and economy.  

Jennifer Skow will serve as the inaugural Digital Equity Coordinator. In this role, she will build on her work as Strategic Project Planner in CPHD, where she led the recent Broadband Study.  

Over its first year, the Initiative will focus on three core areas:  

1. Organizing ourselves through a staff team and a new Digital Equity Coalition for stakeholders to help inform how we grow.  
2. Pursuing funding opportunities to expand our resources. 
3. Expanding programming around our target areas: more devices, more training, launching a digital navigation program to connect residents to resources and provide basic computer help, and collaborating on ways to improve internet affordability. 

The Initiative was shared at the October 22nd County Board Meeting.  

Be Part of the Initiative’s Progress — Join the Digital Equity Coalition

Arlington’s Digital Equity Coalition will support strategy development to realize recommendations from the 2024 Broadband Study. The Coalition will serve as a meeting point to coordinate, collaborate, produce tangible outputs, and share information about digital inclusion activities occurring in the County.

Tangible group projects will include developing a resource list, strategizing and developing implementation solutions, leveraging networks for outreach and engagement activities, defining benchmarks and measurable success metrics, creating opportunities for group and community learning, and informing long-term sustainability.  

Any member of a community organization is welcome to join the coalition. All members joining are asked to complete an interest form.

Complete the form

Based off initial interest, CPHD anticipates forming the first leadership committee in January 2025, with the first full coalition meeting in February/March 2025.  

Read more about the Coalition’s structure and policies.