Access to high-speed Internet (broadband) is no longer a luxury. It is a basic necessity in both rural and urban settings to support our community members with their education, access to healthcare, and economic competitiveness in today’s digital economy.  While Yolo County sits just to the west of the California State Capitol, funding for broadband infrastructure has been a consistent challenge.  Assuring adequate Internet access for people living and working in Yolo County is a collaborative effort.  Don served as an early advocate and supported efforts to develop the Yolo County Strategic Plan.

 

• Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan – As an outcome of a Yolo Leaders Forum focused on broadband, Don served as a champion for a joint project of the cities and the County of Yolo to develop a Broadband Strategic Plan.  Completed in 2015 it provides documentation of numerous broadband infrastructure gaps and disparities in service levels, speed levels and reliability that has been identified as high priority needs that must be addressed to advance the County’s number one industry, agriculture.  Yolo County prioritizes the agriculture economy and drives development to the cities, resulting in smaller rural communities and market share which is not fiscally attractive to private broadband providers.  Closing the digital divide will require both public and private solutions.