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Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has chosen four projects to receive funding as part of its Digital Towns initiative in the Indiana Uplands region. The projects aim to improve digital equity and inclusion in the area.

Crawford County plans to establish community Wi-Fi hotspots and hold digital literacy workshops. Owen County will create a public access fiber garden and offer digital literacy classes. Washington County intends to establish community Wi-Fi hotspots and provide digital literacy classes. Additionally, all 11 counties in the Indiana Uplands region will receive digital literacy training and digital operating assistance for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local government units.

ROI launched this opportunity to promote digital inclusion and provide resources to communities and organizations in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of digital connectivity and resources for activities such as remote work and e-learning. To advance digital inclusion in Indiana Uplands, ROI collaborated with the Purdue Center for Regional Development to evaluate the region’s digital infrastructure and worked with county teams to develop digital inclusion plans.

The Digital Towns grant opportunity asked applicants to align their projects with three dimensions of digital readiness: Digital Citizen, Digital Business, and Digital Public Services. Communities in the region recognized the value of digital readiness and were eager to implement projects that promote digital resiliency for residents.

The funded projects include the Crawford County Public Access Wi-Fi Equity Program, which aims to provide high-speed internet access for residents without home access. The Washington County Community Digital Literacy Classes and Hotspots project will offer digital literacy skills training and install public Wi-Fi spots throughout the county. The Owen County Connect Program will create a fiber garden and provide free internet access and digital skills training. The Ivy Tech Foundation Digital Hope+ Program will provide digital literacy training and assistance to small businesses, nonprofits, and local government units.

These projects are expected to have a significant impact on the communities in the Indiana Uplands region, allowing residents and businesses to thrive in an increasingly digitized society and economy.

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