Regional Digital Opportunity
Within each county across the Centralina region, there are communities lacking consistent internet access. This digital divide is a barrier to individuals, preventing them from fully participating in their communities. Through a partnership with the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University, Centralina Regional Council supported county governments in developing digital opportunity strategies to eliminate barriers to broadband access and technology use.
Centralina’s 2025 Regional Digital Opportunity Plan provides county-specific strategies and a regional framework to address disparities in internet availability, affordability, device access and digital skills. Here, you’ll find goals for your county’s Digital Opportunity Plan, as well as resources to support implementation.
Plans by County:
Visit the Digital Resource Hub for regional and county-level digital opportunity plans, broadband maps and data profiles on internet access and plan development toolkits.
Why is Digital Opportunity Important?
Digital opportunity plans help determine community assets to have a better idea of where hardware and software enhancements can be done to support vulnerable populations. Contact your county manager for more information on how to get involved.
Our Goals
Goal 1: Expand Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is the ability to confidently and effectively use digital tools, technologies, and online resources to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information in everyday life.
Goal 2: Increase Device Ownership and Access
Increasing device ownership and access ensures more people have the tools they need to connect online, learn new skills and fully participate in today’s digital world.
Goal 3: Improve Affordability of Broadband Services
Improving the affordability of broadband services helps reduce cost barriers so that more households can stay connected, access essential resources and engage in economic and educational opportunities.
Goal 4: Strengthen Public Safety Awareness and Access
Strengthening public safety awareness and access empowers communities with the knowledge, tools and connections needed to respond effectively to emergencies and stay safe.
Digital Opportunity Plans
The 2025 Centralina Regional Digital Opportunity Plan is a strategic roadmap developed by Centralina Regional Council to guide counties in expanding digital access, improving infrastructure, and enhancing digital literacy across the nine-county Centralina region. This plan provides county-specific strategies and a regional framework to address disparities in internet availability, affordability, device access and digital skills. Local agencies can use the plan to identify community access gaps, coordinate with partners and implement targeted actions such as broadband expansion, public safety communications improvements and workforce training initiatives.
Visit our Resource Hub
Discover everything you need to strengthen digital access and readiness in one place. The Digital Opportunity Resource Hub offers regional and county-level digital opportunity plans, broadband maps and data profiles on internet access, device ownership and readiness.
Resource Hub benefits:
- Access the regional and county-level digital opportunity plans in one place
- Explore data profiles on internet access, device ownership and digital readiness across the region
- Find broadband maps that highlight served, unserved and expansion areas
- Connect to training resources for building digital skills through libraries, community colleges and partners
- Learn about affordability programs that lower the cost of internet service and devices
- Identify local programs that expand device access through refurbishing and lending initiatives
- Find public safety alerts and enrollment options for community-wide notifications
- Access alerts and resources designed to reach older adults, non-English speakers and other special populations during emergencies
- Access toolkits, templates and outreach materials to support county and partner implementation
For more information on this initiative, please contact Anna Lu Wilson at alwilson@centralina.org or 704-385-4790.