Northampton County Recognized as One of the Nation’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2025

[Northampton County, PA] – The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named Northampton County as a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer. This national program recognizes the county’s efforts to close the digital divide.

Recognizing the array of interests and unique barriers of its community members, Northampton County joins a record number of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers this year. NDIA awarded a total of 60 awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments, paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US.

In an increasingly connected society, digital inclusion—access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training—is essential not only to participate in today’s world but also to find greater opportunities to thrive using tools to navigate the internet confidently and independently.

“Northampton County is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to the digital tools and resources necessary for success. Achieving Digital Inclusion Trailblazer status reflects our dedication to bridging the digital divide and empowering our community members to thrive in an increasingly connected world,” said County Executive, Lamont G. McClure. 

“In the past decade, we’ve seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive,” said

Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrate these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.”

Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Northampton County achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:

● Creation of the Northampton County Digital Navigator Coalition

● Engaging the Community by Hosting Digital Device Training and Tech Tutorial Events

● Creation of the Northampton County Access Device and Giveaway Program providing refurbished County devices to County organizations and residents

● Meaningful engagement as a member of the Keystone Internet Coalition

● Ensuring Web Accessibility through ADA Compliance

● Issuing a Proclamation designating October 7-11, 2024, as Northampton County Digital Inclusion Week

● Completing a County-wide Broadband Survey and Asset Mapping to use data to inform Digital Inclusion

● Partnering with Kinber’s (Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research) PA Digital Navigator Ecosystem to request funding through the NTIA Competitive Digital Equity Grant Program

● Reaching out to local Internet Service Providers to encourage and provide support for applications to the federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) Program

NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers has set the national standard for excellent digital inclusion work since 2016. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local government ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their digital inclusion solutions. 

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About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,900 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.

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