Mohawk Valley Community College, New York State ConnectALL, and the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development (MVEDD) Council partnered to host a successful Internet and Digital Equity Listening Session on Wednesday, March 15, at MVCC’s Utica Campus. The event was aimed at discussing challenges and opportunities related to internet access and digital equity in the Mohawk Valley region and brought together stakeholders from across the Mohawk Valley to share input to inform ConnectALL’s development of New York State’s broadband deployment and digital equity plan.
As the lead organizer, MVCC brought together regional economic development partners to ensure that the event was inclusive and representative of the diverse communities in the Mohawk Valley. The session was attended by college representatives, local businesses, non-profits, community leaders, and elected officials who shared their experiences and ideas on how to improve internet access and digital equity in the region.
According to Lauren Mattia, community development specialist at MVEDD, "The Mohawk Valley listening session was the first in a series being hosted by NY States ConnectALL office to uncover and understand the challenges community members face with access to internet. Whether it’s physical connectivity, affordability, or the knowledge needed to use the internet for tasks that used to be done in person, it's the gap NY State wants to fill. I encourage everyone that can contribute to the conversation to attend future sessions virtually or in-person."
"Many of our constituents that should have had access to the internet for school, telehealth, and work suffer from inadequate internet access," said Assemblyman Brian Miller. "I commend Mohawk Valley Community College and the Mohawk Regional Economic Development Council for hosting this listening session. The ConnectALL initiative is a vital infrastructure investment to our region, and I am hopeful that this will help to bridge the digital divide, as we now know broadband access and affordability is essential."
During the session, the attendees discussed the impact of the broadband expansion on the Mohawk Valley region, how to significantly improve internet access in rural areas, help bridge the digital divide, and create new economic opportunities for the community.
"We are grateful to our regional economic development partners for collaborating with us on this event and to all the attendees for sharing their valuable insights and experiences," said MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D. "We believe that this listening session is just the beginning of a larger conversation about digital equity and internet access in the Mohawk Valley, and we are committed to continuing this dialogue in the future."
Evon Ervin, Oneida County legislator, said, "So many children are at a disadvantage due to a lack of internet access. When we all come together on every level of government, we can make positive changes to ensure a bright future."
"It is very exciting to see NYS taking action to improve internet/digital equity and taking the time to listen and learn all the barriers to equality,” said Sandra Soroka, executive director of The Neighborhood Center. “If we are to advance and increase our success in developing a healthy and adequate workforce, internet access is a fundamental step."
For more information on ConnectALL and efforts to promote digital equity and internet access in the state, visit https://broadband.ny.gov/.
About Mohawk Valley Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College, established in 1946, is New York State’s first community college with a mission to provide accessible, high-quality educational opportunities for everyone. As the community’s college, MVCC is committed to student success through partnerships, transfer and career pathways, and personal enrichment. With campuses in Utica and Rome, MVCC is the region’s primary provider of college education, offering 90 degree and certificate options for its enrollment of 6,000 full- and part-time students. MVCC also serves an additional 6,000 people through its corporate and community education programs, and its campuses welcome more than 50,000 people annually for community events. To learn more about MVCC and its programs, visit www.mvcc.edu.
About ConnectALL
The mission of ConnectALL is to build New York State's digital infrastructure and connect all New Yorkers through the internet. The ConnectALL Office oversees the statewide digital equity plan and administers over $1 billion in public investments across the state.