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Board approves Connect Yavapai digital‑literacy and access plan; seeks grants for devices and navigators
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a county digital literacy and access plan that pairs broadband infrastructure work with outreach, device reuse and digital navigator programs; staff will pursue federal/state grants to fund a mobile digital lab and device distribution.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously May 7 to approve the county’s Connect Yavapai Digital Literacy and Access Plan, a strategy to pair broadband build‑out with training, device access and outreach to residents.
Corey Christians, Yavapai County library director and broadband project manager, told the board the county has invested $16.88 million in ARPA funds to expand broadband to roughly 13,794 residents but that infrastructure alone does not close the “digital divide.” The plan approved by the board sets goals to increase availability and affordability of reliable high‑speed broadband, provide affordable devices, offer targeted digital‑literacy training for affected populations, increase online access to public services, and improve website privacy and security.
Christians said the county has convened a stakeholder group including the Arizona Commerce Authority, NTIA advisers, Pima County (which has an approved plan), state library staff and Internet service providers (Cox, Sparklight, T‑Mobile, Verizon). The plan prioritizes rural residents, veterans, people with disabilities and older adults and identified barriers including cost, lack of devices, lack of awareness and limited digital skills.
Planned tactics include an e‑cycling/device refurbishment partnership (AZStrut), a mobile outreach vehicle or partnership with an existing mobile lab, and recruiting “digital navigators” to help residents set up accounts and use online services. Christians said the county will apply for two grants — one for roughly $250,000 for a mobile vehicle and navigators and another in partnership with Pima County to secure devices for an earn‑to‑learn distribution model.
Supervisors praised the intergovernmental coordination and approved the plan unanimously; staff will seek grant funding and coordinate implementation with libraries, ISPs and community partners.
