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Michigan Coalitions
Workforce development and entrepreneurship: Identify collaborators and target grants. READ ME
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Michigan Communities: Digital Equity, Job Creation, and Entrepreneurship
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Michigan Communities: Digital Equity, Job Creation, and Entrepreneurship
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A Community Conversation on Digital Equity, Job Creation, and Entrepreneurship in Michigan should cover a variety of interconnected topics to address the challenges and opportunities in these areas effectively. Here’s a list of key topics to include, along with suggested action points and responsible stakeholders:
Key Topics
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Digital Equity and Inclusion
- Current State of Digital Equity in Michigan: Discuss the digital divide, focusing on underserved communities and rural areas.
- Access to High-Speed Internet: Explore the availability of broadband infrastructure and the need for expansion.
- Affordability of Internet Services: Examine the cost barriers to accessing reliable internet, particularly for low-income households.
- Digital Literacy: Address the importance of digital literacy and provide strategies for increasing digital skills among residents.
- Impact on Education and Healthcare: Discuss how digital inequities affect access to education and telehealth services.
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Job Creation
- Technology and Innovation as Job Drivers: Explore how advancements in technology can create new job opportunities in Michigan.
- Workforce Development and Training: Discuss the need for digital skills training programs to prepare the workforce for the jobs of the future.
- Support for Small Businesses and Startups: Identify ways to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses in leveraging digital tools for growth.
- Green Jobs and Sustainable Technology: Explore opportunities for job creation in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.
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Entrepreneurship
- Access to Capital and Resources: Discuss the availability of funding, grants, and resources for startups and entrepreneurs in Michigan.
- Building a Supportive Ecosystem: Explore the role of incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs in fostering entrepreneurship.
- Digital Platforms for Business Growth: Discuss how digital tools and platforms can help local businesses scale and reach new markets.
- Innovation Hubs and Co-Working Spaces: Highlight the importance of physical and virtual spaces that support collaboration and innovation among entrepreneurs.
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Policy and Advocacy
- State and Local Government Initiatives: Discuss current and proposed policies aimed at improving digital equity, job creation, and entrepreneurship.
- Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors: Explore partnerships between government, private companies, and non-profits to address these issues.
- Community-Led Initiatives: Encourage local community involvement in advocating for and implementing digital equity initiatives.
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Economic Impact and Social Justice
- Equitable Economic Growth: Discuss strategies to ensure that economic growth through digital and entrepreneurial advancements benefits all communities equitably.
- Social Justice in the Digital Age: Address the intersection of digital equity and social justice, focusing on marginalized and historically underserved communities.
- Measuring Success and Accountability: Establish metrics for success and accountability mechanisms to ensure progress is made toward digital equity.
Action Points and Responsible Stakeholders
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Expand Broadband Access
- Action: Implement state and local initiatives to expand broadband infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved urban areas.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Michigan State Government, local municipalities, internet service providers, community organizations.
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Increase Digital Literacy
- Action: Develop and fund digital literacy programs targeting all age groups, with a focus on low-income communities and older adults.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Michigan Department of Education, community colleges, public libraries, non-profits.
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Support Workforce Development
- Action: Launch workforce development programs focusing on digital skills, particularly in emerging industries like tech and green energy.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Michigan Works!, local economic development agencies, community colleges, private sector partners.
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Facilitate Access to Capital
- Action: Create or expand grant and loan programs for startups and small businesses, with an emphasis on minority and women-owned businesses.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), local banks, venture capital firms, community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
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Promote Entrepreneurship
- Action: Establish more innovation hubs, co-working spaces, and incubators across Michigan to support local entrepreneurs.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Local governments, MEDC, universities, business associations.
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Advocate for Policy Changes
- Action: Advocate for state and federal policies that support digital equity, such as affordable broadband initiatives and protections against digital redlining.
- Responsible Stakeholders: Advocacy groups, community organizations, local governments, state legislators.
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Measure and Report Progress
- Action: Develop a framework to measure progress on digital equity and economic development initiatives, and regularly report findings to the community.
- Responsible Stakeholders: State and local governments, research institutions, community organizations.
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Foster Public-Private Partnerships
- Action: Establish partnerships between public entities, private companies, and non-profits to leverage resources and expertise in addressing digital equity and fostering economic growth.
- Responsible Stakeholders: State and local governments, private sector, non-profits, philanthropic organizations.
This comprehensive approach ensures that the conversation is both inclusive and action-oriented, with clear responsibilities assigned to various stakeholders.
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1 Reply
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Questions About Funding Allocation and Prioritization:
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How does the allocation of BEAD funding toward incumbent ISPs impact the long-term goals of digital equity in Michigan compared to community-owned broadband networks?
- Follow-up: What mechanisms are in place to ensure that this funding truly benefits underserved communities rather than reinforcing existing disparities?
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Given that a significant portion of BEAD funding is expected to go to incumbent ISPs, how can communities ensure they retain control over their broadband infrastructure and prevent future monopolization?
- Follow-up: Are there provisions within BEAD or other funding programs that prioritize community-owned networks over corporate-owned models?
Questions About Sustainability and Community Benefits:
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What are the long-term economic and social benefits of investing in community-owned broadband networks compared to relying on incumbent ISPs to provide services?
- Follow-up: How can Michigan leverage these benefits to boost job creation and entrepreneurship within local communities?
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In what ways do community-owned broadband networks contribute to more resilient and sustainable infrastructure compared to the infrastructure built and maintained by incumbent ISPs?
- Follow-up: How do these models ensure better accountability and responsiveness to community needs?
Questions About Equity and Access:
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How do community-owned networks ensure that all residents, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have equitable access to high-speed internet compared to the coverage provided by incumbent ISPs?
- Follow-up: What strategies can Michigan employ to support the development of these community networks to close the digital divide?
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With the end of programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), what role can community-owned networks play in ensuring continued affordability and access to broadband for low-income households?
- Follow-up: How does this compare to the approach taken by large ISPs receiving BEAD funding?
Questions About Innovation and Local Control:
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How can community-owned networks in Michigan foster innovation and entrepreneurship in ways that might be limited under the control of incumbent ISPs?
- Follow-up: Can you share examples from other states or regions where community ownership has led to significant technological or economic advancements?
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What are the potential risks and challenges of relying heavily on incumbent ISPs for broadband expansion, and how might community-owned networks mitigate these risks?
- Follow-up: What safeguards are necessary to ensure community networks are viable and competitive?
Questions About Policy and Advocacy:
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What steps can local governments and communities in Michigan take to advocate for more equitable distribution of BEAD funding, ensuring it supports community-owned initiatives?
- Follow-up: How can communities navigate state-level legal barriers that may inhibit the development of municipal broadband?
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How does the community’s involvement in decision-making differ between community-owned broadband initiatives and projects led by incumbent ISPs receiving federal funding?
- Follow-up: How can Michigan’s communities ensure that their voices are heard in the planning and implementation of broadband projects?
These questions aim to highlight the differences in approach between community-owned networks and incumbent ISPs, emphasizing the potential for greater equity, local control, and long-term benefits with the former. They also encourage discussion about how policy and funding decisions can support or hinder these outcomes.
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