Objective

The Commissioners Court should appoint liaisons from each community, to oversee and facilitate broadband advancements through regular meetings and coordinated community engagements, within 10 weeks.

Description

Establish a standing group of broadband liaisons within the Hill Country Tri-County area to help sustain the implementation of the community action plan and the growth of broadband and technology access, adoption, and use in the community. This group of broadband leaders will be empowered to act, as they deem necessary, to ensure broadband and technology sustainability within their community for years to come. Ideally, this team of liaisons will 1) promote broadband and technology access, adoption, and use; 2) serve as the  go-to resource for broadband and technology for the community; 3) seek ways to educate and empower the community regarding broadband and related technology; 4) take priority action on recommendations from the community technology plan and implement other programs that are necessary and beneficial to the growth of the community; 5) monitor federal grant applications and expenditures.

Actions

1. The Commissioners Court in each county should appoint one person to serve as a broadband liaison. This individual can be designated or contracted by the county to serve in this capacity but should ultimately receive appointment from the Commissioners Court.
   1. The local units of government should take ownership in the appointment of this liaison as it will be the leading voice for broadband advancement in the community.
   2. Individually, the liaison should represent his/her distinct county’s broadband needs and wants. Collectively, the liaisons should work together to share knowledge of broadband solutions and pursue partnerships and funding to expand broadband access, adoption, and use within the Hill Country area (Blanco, Burnet, and Llano Counties).
   3. The responsibilities of the liaison should include:
      1. Serve as the go-to resource for broadband information within the immediate community.
      2. Educate county on broadband programs, opportunities, and benefits.
      3. Monitor grant expenditures within county; report concerns to Commissioners Court.
      4. Stay up to date on current broadband grant programs at state and federal level.
      5. Represent local community interests when meeting with other appointed liaisons at regional level.
         
         
2. Broadband liaisons should meet with providers who already have federal commitments to build out infrastructure to determine if additional federal funds are necessary for broadband advancements.
   1. Connect America Funds (CAF) Phase II Auction Winning Bids:
      1. Burnet County: Nextlink
      2. Blanco County: Nextlink
      3. Llano County: Plains Interests, LLC
   2. Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I Auction Winning Bids:
      1. Burnet County: Nextlink, NexTier, Resound
      2. Blanco County: Nextlink, LTD Broadband, NexTier, Resound
      3. Llano County: Nextlink, NexTier, Resound
   3. Determine if American Rescue Plan funds, or other grant programs, can be used to shoulder the cost of infrastructure expansion and improvement projects.
      1. Determine if partnerships are viable between RDOF and CAF winners and the community.
      2. Determine if partnerships are viable with existent community providers and the community (see the list of community providers linked below).
         
         
3. These liaisons, each representing their distinct communities, should meet regularly (six-week intervals) to discuss broadband priorities. Topics could include:
   1. Infrastructure Needs
   2. Federal Grant Applications (see federal funding guide linked below)
   3. Broadband Deployment Techniques, Successes and Failures.
      1. What worked in your community, or what did not work in your community?
      2. Stories and case studies can be shared with the group.
   4. Internet Service Provider Partnerships (i.e., Public-Private Partnerships; see partnership guide linked below).
   5. Broadband Deployment Timelines
      1. Meetings between community liaisons should occur routinely, no less than six-week intervals. If the group has set an important benchmark, they should consider holding additional meeting to ensure timely completion.
      2. Meeting can be held virtually or in-person to facilitate full attendance and participation.
         
         
4. Invite county stakeholders, representatives from regional organizations, and broadband providers to serve alongside community liaisons in pursuit of broadband advancements and deployment.
   1. Capitalize on additional areas of expertise provided by Chamber of Commerce Directors, EDC Directors, and Broadband Providers.
   2. Regional Organization to consider:
      1. Chambers of Commerce
         1. Blanco Chamber of Commerce
         2. Burnet Chamber of Commerce
         3. Llano Chamber of Commerce
      2. Economic Development Corporation
      3. Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
   3. See list of community broadband providers below.

Responsible Parties

Local units of government; Broadband providers; Chambers of Commerce; Economic Development Organizations

Timeline

Each community should designate and approve its liaison within 10 weeks of this plan; liaisons and additional representatives should meet for the first time to discuss objectives and goals within two months of being appointed.

Resources

BroadbandUSA: Federal Grant Resources

BroadbandUSA: An introduction to effective public-private partnerships for broadband investments

Blanco Chamber of Commerce: Contact Us

Burnet Chamber of Commerce: Contact Us

Llano Chamber of Commerce: Contact Us

Connected Nation Texas: Texas Broadband Providers by County

Objective

Expand and encourage local organizations (and service providers) to deploy or amplify free public Wi-Fi so that residents across the three counties can access high-speed internet service in public and private spaces across the Hill Country.

Description

Public Wi-Fi is commonly found at restaurants, schools, transit stations, libraries, hotels, hospitals, coffee shops, bookstores, fuel stations, department stores, supermarkets, and RV parks/campgrounds. Your community may not have every location on this list, but it has public institutions or comparable substitutes such as a courthouse or event center. Typically, Wi-Fi is free to the public in these locations. Why? Because Wi-Fi is an asset to communities and institutions, financially and practically. Wi-Fi promotes customers staying in a location longer, boosts customer retention rates and can lead to larger sales/purchases.

For institutions that do not provide free Wi-Fi, customers are tasked with finding alternative locations to study online, telework, shop remotely, or engage with e-commerce. It does not serve the financial health or long-term growth of a county or its institutions to exclude public Wi-Fi from frequently accessed locations in the community. Specifically in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano, community institutions are not offering enough public Wi-Fi . In Blanco, only 24% of businesses offer free Wi-Fi, according to survey responses. In Burnet, the number is even lower with only 20% of businesses indicating they provide free Wi-Fi. In Llano, 26% of businesses offer free Wi-Fi. These numbers indicate the stark need for businesses and other community organizations to either adopt or amplify free public Wi-Fi.

Note: For the sake of this action plan, community institutions are defined as organizations, businesses, or buildings frequented often (once a week for pleasure or business) by residents of Blanco, Burnet or Llano counties. Examples include libraries, churches, schools, courthouses, businesses, event centers, etc.

Actions

1. Within one month of this plan, each community should document and promote an inventory of public Wi-Fi availability in the community, focusing on institutions that are frequented most often by residents.
   1. Schools in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County. Superintendents should poll school buildings.
   2. Businesses in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
      1. Chambers of Commerce can issue a request to all members requesting feedback on public Wi-Fi offerings
      2. Public input can provide further information
   3. Libraries in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
   4. Government buildings in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
      1. Courthouses
      2. City Halls
   5. Other frequently-accessed locations in the community
      1. Parks & Recreation Centers
      2. Event Centers
2. Analyze results of this inventory and prior surveys to determine community areas and community institutions most in need of public Wi-Fi expansion or creation.
   1. Factors to consider:
      1. Which spaces do students use to learn?
      2. Do business owners use this space to take part in e-commerce?
      3. How often do residents frequent a given space? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
      4. Would an institution have increased foot traffic if they offered free Wi-Fi ?
      5. Are public Wi-Fi hubs located in advantageous locations?
   2. Chambers of Commerce should consolidate results of the Wi-Fi inventory on a website.
      
      
3. Aforementioned community liaisons should meet with stakeholders one-on-one to discuss  Wi-Fi expansion options within three months of completing the above.
   1. Explore advantageous partnerships for businesses, broadband providers, and institutions to expand Wi-Fi throughout the community.
   2. Conduct follow-up meetings as necessary.
      
      
4. Meet with providers (RDOF & CAF winners and community providers) to determine if they can assist in public  Wi-Fi expansion efforts.
   1. Can current infrastructure be expanded to meet public Wi-Fi needs?
   2. Is additional infrastructure needed to meet public Wi-Fi needs?
   3. What steps and partnerships with providers are needed to expand public Wi-Fi in the community?
      
      
5. Chambers of Commerce, EDCs, community websites and social media should identify and promote community institutions (such as schools, libraries, businesses, event centers, city halls, etc.) that have public Wi-Fi to increase foot traffic. More people frequenting businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, and other organizations leads to economic success for those businesses and community.

Responsible Parties

Community and business leaders; broadband providers; residents; community anchor institutions; local government; civic leaders and organization members.

Timeline

Public Wi-Fi is the most immediate way to get connectivity within a rural community. Each county should begin its Wi-Fi inventory within one month of receiving this plan by soliciting responses from community institutions.

References

• Internet Society: Guide to Federal Broadband Funding Opportunities in the U.S.
• BroadbandUSA: Federal Grant Resources
• gov: NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program
• Connected Nation Texas: Texas Broadband Providers by County
• American Rescue Plan: County Allocation
• American Rescue Plan: City Allocation
• Lifewire: Free Wi-Fi Hotspot Locator Apps
• Spectrio: 5 Reasons Why You Should Offer Free Wi-Fi to Your Customers

Objective

Implement digital literacy and inclusion workshops in each community (Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County) with an emphasis on social media and website skills/training to ensure all residents and community leaders are equipped to access and use digital devices and services.

Description

Digital literacy is an individual’s ability to interact and exchange information via digital platforms. As the name suggests, digital literacy necessitates a level of competency and skill. Digital literacy is an understanding of the digital environment and all the software, social media platforms, and lingo that come along with it. For rural Americans, digital literacy can be  affected by many things: lack of infrastructure, devices, and general knowledge.. By providing training workshops focused on digital readiness and inclusion, a community can equip its citizens for digital immersion and advancement for the here and now and into the future. Digital literacy and inclusion focus not just on access to devices and broadband internet, but the skills needed to engage on these platforms. It is important for community residents and leaders to be digitally engaged to stay informed and connected.

Actions

1. Aforementioned broadband liaisons should identify regional and community partners with resources and expertise to assist the region in producing “free” digital literacy and inclusion workshops.
   1. Workshop topics can include:
      1. Navigating Social Media
      2. Website Tutorials
      3. Online Safety Tips and Tricks
      4. How To Teleconference
   2. Community partners can include:
      1. 1. Institutions and businesses who would directly benefit from greater digital adoption (banks, online business owners, online marketers)
         2. Chambers of Commerce
         3. EDCs
         4.  Libraries
            1. Blanco Library
            2. Herman Brown Free Public Library
            3. Llano County Library System
               1. Utilize and build upon existing curriculum sourced by each county for digital literacy and inclusion workshops
               2. Use the Llano Library System Academy as an example
         5. Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
         6. County IT Directors
         7. School IT Directors
         8. Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
         9. Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC)
            
            
2. Identify or develop curriculum using publicly available programs, such as those designed by AARP and PLA, and county sourced information to facilitate community-wide training courses.
   1. Utilize and build upon existing curriculum sourced by each county for digital literacy and inclusion workshops.
   2. Use the Llano Library System Academy as an example.
      
      
3. Schedule training classes at local facilities and promote through local media.
   1. Workshops can serve the tri-county area all together or occur individually, depending on scheduling needs and resources available.
   2. Consider use of PEC facilities for workshops/trainings.
   3. Utilize existing website and social media accounts for each county and the surrounding cities.
   4. Utilize partnerships at local media outlets to spread the word.
      1. Blanco County: Blanco County News
      2. Burnet County: Burnet Bulletin, Hill Country Media, KBEY-FM, KITY Radio, KVHL 91.7/Texas Public Radio
      3. Llano County: Hill Country Broad sting Office, JAM Broadcasting, KITY FM 102.9, Lone Star 102.5, The Picayune, The Burnet Bulletin, The Highlander, KVHL 91.7, Sun Radio KTHE 96.3, Llano News, TXPages
         
         
4. Invite internet service providers (ISPs) to sponsor and attend events. ISPs may be willing to sponsor events since community-wide workshops will likely lead to increased broadband adoption and use.
   
   
5. Conduct workshops for community leaders on the importance of engaging with residents online (i.e., website updates, social media posts, emails, etc.). Use survey results to showcase residents’ desire to interact and obtain information online showing the need for community institutions such as libraries, schools, police and fire departments, city and county government, to have an up-to-date online presence.
   1. Society is increasingly becoming more digital, making it necessary for communities to adapt to meet the changing needs of citizens.
   2. Consider hosting joint workshops, inviting all three counties, to target specific community leadership groups. An example could be Digital Literacy for Law Enforcement Leadership.

Responsible Parties

Community anchor institutions: schools; libraries; broadband providers; local units of government; media outlets

Timeline

Blanco, Burnet, and Llano counties should implement digital inclusion and literacy programs by the end of 2021. Curriculum building and resource gathering can begin immediately to ensure a timely start to community workshops. Every six months, the community should evaluate the status of available curriculum to determine if updates are needed.

References

Connected Nation: What We Do For You, Digital Inclusion

National Telecommunications and Information Administration: Five Digital Inclusion Trends in the United States

AARP: AARP Joins With Nonprofit to Teach Tech to Older Adults

Public Library Association: Digital Learn Curriculum

Connected Nation Texas: Texas Broadband Providers by County

Blanco County News: Contact Us

Burnet Chamber of Commerce: Member Director, Advertising and Marketing

Llano Chamber of Commerce: Members, Media

Website Setup: How to Make a Website

Llano County Libraries: Llano County Library System Academy