Childress County releases broadband survey results and plan for better broadband

Technology Action Plan will help this Texas community get connected

Childress County, Texas (May 13, 2022) – Childress County, in partnership with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas), has released the results of a comprehensive broadband survey and Technology Action Plan designed to increase high-speed internet access across the community.

From October 2021 to January 2022, residents, business owners, government leaders, first responders, ranchers, educators, and health care officials provided their feedback in an online survey as part of the Connected Community Engagement Program, which empowers local leaders and communities through collaborative, data-driven technology planning. In total, 280 surveys were collected. The results of the engagement have highlighted Childress County’s local connectivity needs and informed a comprehensive community action plan. To date, the Connected program has helped more than 650 communities across the country build comprehensive Technology Action Plans.

The broadband survey provides a clear picture of the internet landscape across the county. Among other key data points, the survey found the following:

• Childress County households without internet access at home cited two main barriers: 40% said it was unavailable, and 53.3% said it was too expensive.
• Where survey respondents had internet access at home, only 37% had internet at speeds higher than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) definition of high-speed internet.
• More than one-half of employed survey respondents in Childress County (47%) report teleworking in some capacity. Of those, 17% telework every day, and an additional 27% telework several days per week.   

"The Connected Engagement in Childress County revealed opportunities for the community to engage with local service providers, share information about affordability programs, improve digital literacy, and prioritize a commitment to improved internet connectivity for all residents,” said Catherine Krantz, Broadband Solutions Manager at CN Texas. "With a better understanding of the barriers to connectivity, the community now has greater knowledge, resources, and tools for long-term planning."

Based on the survey findings, the Technology Action Plan makes the following recommendations:

Goal 1:  Implement strategies that ensure broadband needs are being met in Childress County for residents and local organizations by improving internet connectivity and access to technology.

Goal 2:  Ensure that all Childress County residents can access the benefits of broadband, regardless of income level.

Goal 3: Empower Childress County residents to get the most out of technology by increasing their access to the internet and the skills necessary to use it.     

Goal 4: Mitigate the impact of internet service outages. 

Goal 5: Identify funding opportunities for programs and projects that benefit Childress County using broadband and related technologies.

This project was generously funded by the Priddy Foundation, headquartered in Wichita Falls, which supports the welfare, education, health, and growth of residents in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma.

To view the full results of the Childress County broadband survey, visit: https://connectednation.org/childress-county-texas/

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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is a local division of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Its mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. More information can be found at: www.connectednation.org/texas  

About the Priddy Foundation: The mission of the Priddy Foundation is dedicated to the support of programs in human services, education, the arts, and health, which offer significant potential for individual development and community improvement throughout Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma. More information can be found at: https://priddyfdn.org/