Jefferson County digital inclusion task force to wind down; device giveaway and community outreach planned

Jefferson County officials said Oct. 2 that the county’s digital inclusion task force will wind down this month after roughly four years of work, and outlined plans for a small device giveaway and community outreach using remaining task-force funds.

A task force member said the group’s work helped expand access to broadband and devices across the county and that the group agreed the task force’s active work should end unless commissioners direct otherwise. Organizers plan a device giveaway linked to the county’s fall events: three devices (two Chromebooks and one tablet) have already been purchased for the giveaway, and about $445 in remaining task-force funds may be used to buy antivirus subscriptions and device accessories for recipients.

The county will publicize the giveaway on its broadband webpage. Organizers said entry will be by email: applicants must have a working email address and will submit a short nomination explaining who should receive a device and why. The entry period will close Oct. 31, and winners will be selected within about a week.

Task force members said the giveaway and outreach are intended as a positive way to wrap up the group’s activities; they noted the county has seen increased internet adoption and infrastructure deployment over the past four years. County staff emphasized that remaining expenditures are ARPA-funded and must be reported under federal rules.