Falmouth Digital Equity Plan

Purpose of the Digital Equity Plan

Digital equity plans prepare municipalities for future funding opportunities. Through the digital equity planning process, towns can develop strategies in a community-driven framework to ensure all benefit from future investments. 

Public input and participation are essential to this process, enabling the town to incorporate and reflect the community's vision when advancing future initiatives and projects.

Plan Elements

1. Introduction & Town Vision for Digital Equity
2. Current State of Digital Equity
   Existing conditions, knowledge gaps, challenges, and opportunities
3. Stakeholder Engagement Process
   Who was engaged and how were they engaged
4. Key Findings
   What was discovered throughout the planning process
5. Implementation
   Recommendations for driving solutions, evaluating progress, and funding opportunities

How to Get Involved 

Community Workshop Serie

• Falmouth Digital Equity Community Workshop
  Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
  Hermann Meeting Room, Falmouth Public Library
  300 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540
• Discussion topics will include internet availability, affordability, and reliability; technology and devices necessary for civic, social, and economic life; and skills to participate safely, confidently, and effectively online. Food and beverages will be provided.

Take the Survey

• Completing the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Survey. Paper surveys in multiple languages are available. Contact info@capecodcommission.org for more information. 

Submit your comments

Online at https://capecodcommission.org/DE-comments, or

• Mail: Cape Cod Commission Attn: Steven Tupper, Deputy Director
  3225 Main Street (Route 6A) | PO Box 226
  Barnstable MA 02630-0226
• Fax: 508-362-3136, attention of Steven Tupper, Deputy Director
• E-Mail: please put “Falmouth Digital Equity Plan” in the subject line and send to info@capecodcommission.org

How to use this toolkit:

The following resources are intended to support outreach and publicity efforts for the Town of Falmouth Municipal Digital Equity Plan. Share the text and graphics in your newsletters, on your website, or social media accounts.

Newsletter

Are you connected?  

Are you connected? Do you have the devices, skills, and internet access you need to engage online? Are you able to connect with friends and family, pay bills and manage finances, access healthcare, complete school or professional work, and stay involved in your community? What would improve your online experiences? 

Access to fast, reliable internet service has long been recognized as necessary to work, learn, conduct business, and engage in society—and, therefore, vital to supporting vibrant communities. Individuals, families, and organizations across Cape Cod increasingly rely on high-quality, consistent, and affordable internet access to fully participate in our society, democracy, and economy. 

The Town of Falmouth is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan to assess the digital divide across the community and to identify opportunities to advance digital equity. The goal is to better understand the challenges that Falmouth households and businesses face in accessing the internet and to identify solutions that ensure all have access to the information technology needed to fully participate in our community. 

Community participation is a critical component of this planning effort. Residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend a workshop on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 PM at the Falmouth Public Library to learn about the digital equity plan and contribute to the development of the plan through group exercises and conversations.  

Once finalized, the Municipal Digital Equity Plan will prepare the Town of Falmouth for funding opportunities and guide decision-making, investment, and implementation. 

This project is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds. For more information, please visit: cccom.link/Falmouth-DE. 

Your thoughts and ideas will shape the plan, and you can engage in the effort by: 

• Taking the survey which will inform the digital equity plan.  

• Attending the community workshop on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Hermann Meeting Room in the Falmouth Public Library, 300 Main Street, Falmouth. At the workshop, community members will gather to discuss connectivity, device, and skills-based challenges and opportunities.  

• Stay up to date as the plan progresses: Keep an eye on this newsletter or visit cccom.link/Falmouth-DE 

Newsletter: Shorter Version 

Are you connected?  

Do you have the devices, skills, and internet access you need to engage online? Can you easily stay connected with friends and family, pay bills and monitor expenses, manage your healthcare, access schoolwork, and participate in community discussions? 

The Town of Falmouth is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan. The plan will detail challenges that community members like you face with the internet and technology. Together, we can identify solutions to ensure that all have equal access to our increasingly digital world. Your perspective is critical – join us to shape the plan! 

You can shape the plan by taking a survey, joining a community workshop, and by staying up to date as the plan progresses. Join us at a community workshop on December 11, 2024 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in the Hermann Meeting Room at the Falmouth Public Library to share your thoughts and experiences.  

Keep an eye on this newsletter or visit cccom.link/Falmouth-DE 

Social Media Posts 

What is your internet like? Is it reliable and affordable? Do you have the skills you need to use your smart phone or computer? What would improve your online experiences? The Town of Falmouth is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan. The plan will detail challenges that community members like you face with the internet and technology. Together, we can identify solutions to ensure that all have equal access to our increasingly digital world. Your perspective is critical – join us to shape the plan. 

Join us at a community workshop on December 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm in the Hermann Room at the Falmouth Public Library to share your thoughts and experiences and help shape the plan.  

Visit cccom.link/Falmouth-DE to learn more.