BETTER INTERNET INITIATIVE: LISTENING TOUR REPORT

As part of the Better Internet Initiative the Office of Broadband Development and the Education and Labor Cabinet conducted a statewide listening tour. State leaders heard directly from Kentuckians about local needs concerning internet access, adoption, and use.

Participants in these conversations included representatives from local governments, education, nonprofits, internet service providers, business owners, and local residents. These participants represented their communities and key covered populations, including 59% rural residents, 32% people with disabilities, 39% low-income households, 28% veterans, 39% seniors, 25% people of color, 23% individuals with language barriers, and 17% incarcerated people.

At the virtual meeting, participants included representatives from local governments, education, nonprofits, internet service providers, business owners, and local residents. These participants represented their communities and key covered populations, including 36% rural residents, 36% people with disabilities, 32% low-income households, 32% veterans, 36% seniors, 32% people of color, 28% individuals with language barriers, and 32% incarcerated people. Through open conversation, participants shared their perspectives on the current state of high-speed internet in the region, what barriers exist in their community to accessing and using the internet, what benefits the region would experience if more people go online, and what priorities the state should consider when developing an effective and informed high-speed internet and digital equity plan. The key data points from the virtual listening tour are highlighted in this report.