Board adopts Mideast regional digital inclusion plan to expand broadband access and digital skills

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the Mid East Region Digital Inclusion Plan presented by Jamie Heath of the Mideast Commission.

Heath described a regional planning process that included a 99-member steering committee representing local governments, broadband support organizations, institutions of higher education, workforce development, health care, community organizations and private-sector partners. The plan used the NC Department of Information Technology’s digital equity survey as a public input tool; Heath said 389 residents responded, and one public open house for the region was held in Pitt County.

Heath outlined plan goals—device access, affordability, availability, digital skills and implementation resources—and said priority, grant-ready projects include a device access program, device repair and technical support, Internet subsidy programs, broadband infrastructure expansion, public access locations and workforce digital skills initiatives. The presenter also named a set of Pitt County participants on the steering committee, including Mike Taylor (county chief information officer), Commissioner Melvin McLaughorn, representatives from Winterville and local education institutions and social services.

Commissioners asked how community organizations and municipalities were recruited; Heath said outreach was by email and phone, and staff sought at least one municipality from each county (Winterville participated for Pitt County). The board moved and seconded adoption of the plan and voted to approve the resolution placed in the board packet; the transcript records the motion and voice vote but does not include a roll-call tally.

Heath said the plan and priority project profiles are posted on the Mideast Commission website for groups seeking to participate or apply for grants to implement projects.