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    • Connect Pima

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    Pima County Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Action Plan 

    Connect Pima’s mission is that all Pima County community members will have equitable access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet to successfully participate in our democratic society. The plan guides the development of broadband infrastructure, implementation of digital literacy initiatives, and increase access to devices and tools for connectivity throughout Pima County.

    Ongoing Efforts

    Infrastructure

    Data from The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) shows large swaths of Pima County and metro-Tucson with broadband rates below the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) minimum standard. The multi-year plan includes critical infrastructure, projects in collaboration with local governments, internet service providers, utility companies, and departments of transportation.

    Inclusion

    This multi-year plan includes digital literacy initiatives with the goal of increasing access to reliable home and public internet as well as devices and tools for 20% more households by the end of 2026.

    Plan Progress

     
    Short-term Goal
    Mid-term Goal
    Long-term Goal
    Development of broadband infrastructure
    Implementation of digital literacy initiatives
    Increase access to devices and tools

    Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Action Plan detail

    Development of broadband infrastructure

     

    Short-term Goal:

    Increase the number of publicly accessible wireless hotspots by a minimum of 10 sites in each Pima County Board of Supervisors District by the first quarter of FY22/23. 
    • Objective 1: Identify internet service provider(s) in each BOS district by the second quarter of FY21/22. 
    • Objective 2: Request proposals for the implementation of publicly accessible wireless hotspots in each BOS district by the second quarter of FY21/22. 
    • Objective 3: Accept and implement proposal(s) by leveraging monies available to the Pima County Public Library through Emergency Connectivity Funding by the third quarter of FY21/22.  

    Mid-term Goal:

    Increase the number of households served by affordable broadband by 10% in each Pima County Board of Supervisors District by the first quarter of FY24/25. 
    • Objective 1: Conduct an assessment of available affordable broadband programs and adoption rates in Pima County by the second quarter of FY22/23.  
    • Objective 2: Partner with internet service providers (ISPs) to implement sustainable affordable broadband programs by the second quarter of FY22/23.  
    • Objective 3: Engage community stakeholders to identify households who are facing barriers to accessing affordable broadband programs by the first quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 4: Remove barriers to access and pilot an affordable broadband program involving all internet service provider partners in Pima County by the fourth quarter of FY23/24. 

    Long-term Goal:

    Implement joint trench policies for all critical infrastructure construction projects managed by DOTs, DOE, utilities, and Public Safety agencies by the fourth quarter of FY25/26. 
    • Objective 1: Engage State of Arizona, Pima County, and local government officials in reviewing current policy, sharing project mapping, and identifying best practices for the implementation of joint trench requirements associated with construction projects by the second quarter of FY24/25.
    • Objective 2: Engage Pima County departments and Administration to revise and/or create new joint trench policies for recommendation to the Pima County Board of Supervisors by the first quarter of FY25/26.


    Implementation of digital literacy initiatives

     

    Short-term Goal:

    Create a plan to address gaps in digital literacy initiatives and resources by the second quarter of FY22/23. 
    • Objective 1: Identify existing digital literacy initiatives by the second quarter of FY21/22. 
    • Objective 2: Conduct a gap analysis by the fourth quarter of FY21/22. 
    • Objective 3: Engage community stakeholders to gather input about specific population needs by the third quarter of FY21/22. 

    Mid-term Goal:

    Engage at least five community partners to implement digital literacy initiatives and provide resources as identified by the gap analysis by the fourth quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 1: Establish scope of work and agreement for funding for each identified community partner by the first quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 2: Engage community partners to develop multiple training options for different age groups by the second quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 3: Engage community partners to develop multiple training options for different languages by the second quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 4: Conduct a marketing campaign to promote digital literacy initiatives to the community and potentially engage more partners by the third quarter of FY23/24. 

    Long-term Goal:

    Increase technology adoption rates by 5% through the implementation of relevant digital literacy initiatives by the fourth quarter of FY24/25. 
    • Objective 1: Conduct qualitative research to understand and remove barriers to technology adoption by the third quarter of FY23/24.
    • Objective 2: Engage community partners to connect families to identified digital literacy initiatives by the fourth quarter of FY23/24.
    • Objective 3: Connect XX families to relevant resources and training to address technology adoption hesitancy by the second quarter of FY24/25.


    Increase access to devices and tools

     

    Short-term Goal:

    Perform a community needs assessment and conduct a gap analysis by the second quarter of FY22/23. 
    • Objective 1: Engage community stakeholders to gather input about specific population needs by the third quarter of FY21/22. 
    • Objective 2: Create a pilot program for the provision of devices to include identified best practices by the first quarter of FY22/23. 

    Mid-term Goal:

    Increase access to devices and tools by 20% for households identified in the gap analysis by the fourth quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 1: Establish scope of work and agreement for funding for each identified partner for the implementation of the pilot program by the first quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 2: Conduct a targeted marketing campaign to engage community members for the pilot program by the second quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 3: Prioritize community members identified in the needs assessment as participants in the pilot program by the second quarter of FY23/24. 
    • Objective 4: Change County policies and procedures on disposal of IT related equipment by the third quarter of FY23/24. 

    Long-term Goal:

    Implement policies for sustainable funding for the provision of devices, equipment, and tools as identified by the needs assessment by the fourth quarter of FY25/26. 
    • Objective 1: Engage Pima County Finance, Procurement, and Grants Management in the development of a comprehensive funding plan for the provision of devices, equipment and tools by the fourth quarter of FY24/25. 
    • Objective 2: Prioritize the seeking of grant funding available for tools and equipment identified in our needs assessment by the first quarter of FY25/26. 

    Current Highlights

    Connect Pima needs to know if you have high-speed internet. This information will help Pima County update Federal Communication Commission (FCC) maps depicting the availability of high-speed internet at city, county, and state levels. Learn more about measuring and reporting your internet connection speed.

    Hotspots Around Town

    In partnership with Cox, Pima County Public Library is now offering access to 120 reliable, high-speed WiFi hotspots across Pima County.

    Map Key
    1-2 Hotspots
    3-4 Hotspots
    5-6 Hotspots
    Future Hotspot Site

    How to Connect

    1. On your phone or device find network PCPLonTheGo
    2. Accept Terms of Use Agreement
    3. You're connected!

    Connect Pima committees are comprised of community stakeholders interested in creating inclusive access for all Pima County residents. 
    Interested in participating ?  

    Broadband Infrastructure and Policy Recommendations

    Grow wireless hotspots and households served by affordable broadband in all five Pima County districts. Make critical infrastructure a shared effort between various agencies.

    Committee Co-Chair: Michelle Simon, Deputy Director, Pima County Public Library
    Committee Co-Chair: Mark Hayes, Interim Director, Pima County Information and Technology 

    Digital Inclusion and Equity 

    Engage community partners to identify gaps in community members’ relationship to obtaining and using digital platforms and create relevant initiatives to increase technology adoption rates.

    Co-Chair: Andrew Bevington, Director of Business and Education Partnerships, Pima County School Superintendent
    Co-Chair: Amber Wells, Director of Digital Engagement, Pima County Workforce Development
    Co-Chair: Cindy Hogan, AmeriCorps, Literacy Connects

    Digital Access

    Utilize a community needs assessment to identify households with highest need and put sustainable practices in place to supply necessary devices and tools.

    Co-Chair: Mandy Armenta, Admin. Support Services Manager, Pima County Finance and Risk Management 
    Co-Chair: Mark Malick, Program Coordinator, Pima County Human Resources 

    Grants, Funding and Procurement 

    Evaluate funding opportunities that can sustain or expand the planned infrastructure and inclusion projects of Connect Pima oversee the use of funds and procurement requirements for existing funding. 

    Co-Chair: Katherine Hahn, Program Manager, Pima County Grants Management & Innovation 
    Co-Chair: Ana Wilber, Division Manager, Pima County Procurement 

    The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps families and households access affordable broadband service so they can connect to work, school, healthcare and more.

    American Library Association: Resolution in Support of Broadband as a Human Right

    Whereas broadband networks and services drive robust, resilient, and effective societies and economies;

    Whereas broadband is essential for life tasks including education, workforce, healthcare, and is a fundamental element of an inclusive and sustainable world;

    Read more on ALA’s website.

    Arizona Libraries Public WiFi

    This map depicts data from the 2019 (July 1, 2018–June 30, 2019) Arizona Public Library Statistics, question 13.10 Overall Wireless Availability. 

    Thank you to our partners:

    American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Arizona Broadband Stakeholders Network COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Arizona Community Action Agencies
    Arizona Department of Education - Office of Digital Teaching and Learning Arizona State Library Arizona Tech Council
    ATIC, IRC Chicanos Por La Causa City of Tucson
    City of Tucson Housing and Community Development City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives Comcast
    Community Action Programs and Services OCHER Community Broadband Advocates LLC Cox Communications
    Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona Insight Interfaith Community Services
    Jobcorps Kajeet Kevin Dahl - Ward 3
    Literacy Connects Pima Community College - Adult Basic Education for College and Career Pima Community College - Workforce Development
    Pima Council on Aging PPEP, Inc Sahuarita Unified School District
    Tohono O'odham Nation, Department of Health and Human Services; United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona University of Arizona - College of Education
    We Care Tucson YWCA

    We would also like to thank:

    Pima County Adult Probation Pima County Community and Workforce Development Pima County Development Services
    Pima County Economic Development Office Pima County Finance Pima County Grants Management and Innovation
    Pima County Health Department Pima County Human Resources Pima County Information and Technology Department
    Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation Pima County Procurement
    Pima County Public Library Pima County Superintendents of Schools Pima County Superior Court
    Pima County Transportation

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    Pima County Public Library

    Michelle Simon
    Deputy Director
    (520) 594-5654

    Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm



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