Lighting the way into 2026

by Jessica Denson, Director of Communications 
Connected Nation

Bowling Green, Ky. (December 18, 2025) - As 2025 draws to a close, we at Connected Nation (CN) are taking stock and pausing to celebrate a year defined by resiliency and flexibility.

One of CN’s annual traditions has become a reflection of our year, which I usually wrap in a holiday memory, a game amongst friends, or even a trip back to the Island of Misfit Toys.

This year, I’m moved by a favorite jingle: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

It might seem like a stretch to relate the work of a national nonprofit focused on expanding broadband access, adoption, and use to all people to a song about a reindeer with a shiny nose. But stick with me for a moment.

First, CN was founded in Bowling Green, Ky., on February 19, 2001, nearly 25 years ago. At the time, we were a very small nonprofit with big dreams to promote technology across Kentucky.

Few had heard of us when we published the nation’s first state broadband map just a few years later. It reminds me of that little Christmas jingle’s start … 

“You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all …”

It took time, but state and federal leaders learned who CN was and what we were doing across Kentucky. We were asked to expand our work into Ohio and Tennessee.

“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows …”

And, boy, did we glow!

By 2009, CN was the broadband mapping entity for 12 states, and our work moved into other areas such as No Child Left Offline, which provided computer access to disadvantaged families; Every Citizen Online, a library- and community college-focused program; and Opportunity Online, a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, just to name a few.

“All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games …”

Not everyone understood what we were doing.

We endured some name calling and a lot of misunderstanding when it came to our mission and our work. Many state and federal leaders, journalists, and even the public viewed access to high-speed internet as a privilege or luxury, not a necessity.

Then the pandemic arrived.

“Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?”

CN was ready. We provided free resources to help the public cope with the sudden need to shelter in place.

We also leveraged our two decades of experience to help schools through the Connect K-12 program, guided local communities and state leaders through developing broadband plans, and grew our digital skills training programs so everyone could understand how to use the technology at home and in the workplace.

“Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history.”

Well, I’ll concede that maybe there weren’t a lot of gleeful exclamations, but I receive positive feedback almost daily from those directly impacted by our programs.

As you’ll see in the highlights below, our “bright nose” has truly led thousands upon thousands of people to the places they needed to go.

The year has been difficult for many in the broadband and nonprofit space, thanks to shifting funding timelines and evolving technology landscapes. But, throughout the sometimes-foggy future of 2025, our team has demonstrated adaptability and unwavering commitment to getting us to our destination — closing the Digital Divide.

Key milestones & highlights of 2025

🔍 BEAD Tracker empowers transparency

CN’s BEAD Tracker is helping state leaders, decision-makers, and the public keep tabs on plans for expanding access to broadband to all Americans.

With about three dozen Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program proposals approved, the Tracker now visualizes nearly 4 million locations that will be impacted receiving $20 billion in federal broadband funding. This expansion underscores our mission — to shine a light on how communities are being connected across America. [connectednation.org/beadtracker]

🤖 AI Literacy Resource Hub launches

Recognizing the growing need for AI awareness, we launched our AI Literacy Resource Hub in November. This platform curates trusted guides and tools to help learners of all ages build confidence in understanding and using AI responsibly.

Since 2001, more than 130,000 individuals have benefited from our digital empowerment programs — and now, AI literacy joins their skillset. [https://bit.ly/AILiteracyResourceHub]

🤝 National leadership on AI infrastructure

In July, we welcomed the White House’s National AI Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of broadband infrastructure in powering next-gen computing — including robust fiber networks and regional internet exchange points (IXPs) so rural communities aren't left behind.

A few months later, in Wichita, Kan., CN hosted an AI Interconnection Summit on Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus. This summit brought together national and international experts in internet infrastructure to explore how Kansas — and America — can lead in the emerging AI economy.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Digital inclusion Week & intergenerational impact

CN brought 62 workshops to communities across the nation during October’s Digital Inclusion Week and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, training over 2,200 individuals in digital literacy and cybersecurity — highlighting the success of our Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program in strengthening community trust.

You can bring a team to your area by heading to https://connectednation.org/programs/teens-teach-tech and signing up today. CN offers startup funds, workshop resources, ongoing mentor support, and funds for every adult trained in critical digital skills.

CN offers several programs focused on digital skills training in addition to Teens Teach Tech. They include the no-cost Digital Literacy and Learning Program, which provides CN-staff led classes virtually or in person, and Digital Works, which is focused on career-readiness.

📡 State & federal partnerships

From partnering with state broadband offices to hosting AI infrastructure summits and guiding BEAD plan development, CN has remained nimble — working with stakeholders across Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Kansas, Michigan, and beyond. These alliances ensure responsive solutions tailored to the technology and digital empowerment needs of their residents, businesses, and communities.

Lighting the way for the next 25 years

Our quarter-century milestone is a testament to our flexibility and, more importantly, our resiliency, which has carried us from early mapping initiatives to today’s advanced digital empowerment efforts.

As we approach our 25th anniversary, our resilient spirit continues to guide us:

• Harnessing AI for digital equity, building on our hub and White House advocacy.
• Deepening BEAD engagement, expanding use of the Tracker and advising federal/state partners.
• Scaling digital literacy, growing community-based programs and intergenerational exchanges.
• Strengthening broadband infrastructure, both middle‑mile and last‑mile, so every rural and urban community thrives.

CN closes 2025 more agile and mission-driven than ever. Our success lies in our ability to be fluid, our commitment to helping others, and in the trust of our partners, volunteers, and communities.

Armed with lessons learned and a clear path ahead, we’re ready to make 2026 — our 25th anniversary — our most impactful year yet.

Whatever your holiday tradition may be — from our family to yours — we wish you a happy holiday filled with love and light as bright as Rudolph’s nose.

Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.