The Benton Foundation recently published results of work they’ve been doing related to helping cities reduce barriers to digital inclusion – aside from funding.

They came with three key recommendations…

Based on our preliminary examination of the digital equity plans created by the cities of Austin, Portland, and Seattle, and through our own interviews with local policymakers, we offer these recommendations to federal policymakers, local governments, and other key stakeholders interested in creating effective digital equity plans:

• Local governments should employ a central planning and coordination office with legitimate authority to facilitate digital equity planning.

• Local planners should ensure that traditionally-excluded groups are included in digital equity planning.

• Local decision-makers should use research from a variety of sources to inform digital equity planning.