Elk Grove, located just south of Sacramento, has embarked on ‘Connected Elk Grove’, a smart city plan to create better connections between the City and residents. While the project has the potential to improve city services and give local people more say over decision-making, gaps in internet service must be addressed if the project is to work for all. In a recent survey, 50% of residents said they were dissatisfied with available internet services. Lower-income residents particularly struggle. One in eight households with an income below $75,000 does not have internet access, rising to one in five with incomes below $35,000.

The broadband planning process will help the city to determine a path forward to close these gaps. The plan will help document residents’ needs and provide the data and analysis needed to design infrastructure, mitigate risks, and identify the financing for internet expansion. By advancing digital equity and digital literacy, implementing this plan will be critical to Connected Elk Grove’s success.

Christopher Jordan, Director, Strategic Planning and Innovation, City of Elk Grove said: “In today’s world, digital connectivity is a necessity and not a luxury. The pandemic clearly showed us that digital connectivity is a necessity for education, business, healthcare, finances.  It is a critical tool in order to allow our residents to be involved and full participants in local government and for the City to provide critical information. As an essential utility and a critical infrastructure, broadband needs to be affordable, accessible, and reliable for all residents. This broadband plan will help us map out how to achieve that goal.”