Digital Opportunity Listening Session

Justice Involved Individuals Welcome!

This is a discussion about barriers to broadband. What kinds of barriers? Things like not being able to afford service, not knowing how to use Internet resources effectively, not owning laptops or other digital resources. 

When:
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (CDT)

Where:
Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church
2708 Jefferson Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37208

Why should I attend?
Input from Listening Sessions will shape how the state invests millions of dollars into our communities. The State’s Digital Opportunity Plan will work alongside coming investments in broadband infrastructure to close the digital divide in Tennessee. Please come ready to discuss community challenges and needs concerning broadband and accessing online resources.

More Information:
Email ECD.Broadband@tn.gov (TN Department of Economic & Community Development)

Click here for Digital Opportunity Listening Session flyer.

Join Us for Discusssion - Open to the Public

Join us to hear about the state's broadband programs, opportunities for future funding, and plans to close the digital divide in Tennessee. Members of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will lead an open discussion with attendees to learn more about the current barriers to accessing the internet, including challenges around affordability, access, and digital skills. Input from Listening Sessions will shape how the state invests millions of dollars into our communities. The State’s Digital Opportunity Plan will work alongside coming investments in broadband infrastructure to close the digital divide in Tennessee. Please come ready to discuss community challenges and needs concerning broadband and accessing online resources. Food and refreshments will be provided.

• The listening sessions are open to the public. We especially encourage people to attend if they identify with one or more of the following covered populations:

» low-income individuals,
» racial/ethnic minorities,
» rural residents,
» veterans,
» aging individuals,
» English Language Learners,
» recently incarcerated,
» and/or individuals with disabilities.

• The session is intended to discuss broadband challenges that are not infrastructure related. We want to start conversations on additional barriers people face such as: 

» not being able to afford service,
» not knowing how to use Internet resources effectively,
» not owning laptops or other digital resources.

In doing so, we can begin state planning/programming around these additional barriers as we continue to deploy the broadband infrastructure. We will touch on the infrastructure needs but the session will be primarily focused on the additional barriers listed above.

• The session will be 1.5-2 hours: An introduction/overview of state programs, small-group discussions, and concluding remarks.