Regional Plans
The regional plans reflect the differences and similarities in broadband adoption and Internet use across the state. Digital literacy, health care and economic development, including agriculture, are cited often, as they are clearly areas where Nebraskans, and the communities in which they live, have the most to gain by adopting the latest broadband technologies. The realization of the priorities, the regional plans and the growing success of the regions, depend on access to broadband services by all geographic areas. Currently, access varies by region and community. Reliable access to high-speed Internet service and training are necessary to achieve increased adoption and use.
Volunteers from the regions across Nebraska worked to identify current broadband access and challenges. The groups each developed Broadband Regional Plans that reflect the differences and similarities in broadband adoption and Internet use across the state.
Capture the state overview with the unique strengths and challenges for each region. Read the summary of the Regional Plan Priorities.
Western Region Priorities
Priority 1: Education, Digital Literacy and Advanced Technology Training
Coordinate and increase educational offerings around digital literacy skills and advanced technology training
Priority 2: Economic Development
Expand awareness and growth of technology educational offerings to strengthen economic development, agritourism and entrepreneurship.
Priority 3: Agriculture
Explore ways to increase access to basic and adequate broadband services for agriculture producers and those living outside city limits.
North Central Region Priorities
Priority 1:
Economic development efforts target high-tech entrepreneurs and a workforce with technology skills. Businesses use information technology to improve profits and grow their customer base. Agriculture and related businesses are included with economic development.
Priority 2:
Schools are highly networked environments; classrooms have broadband access and teachers are trained in its use. Students, parents, teachers and administrators have equitable access in a way that facilitates mobile learning.
Priority 3:
Health care providers are meeting benchmarks and targets regarding electronic records, prescriptions and other legal requirements. Telehealth technologies are being used cost effectively. Patients are able to access health care information.
New Frontier Region Priorities
Priority 1:
Educate and engage people on the value of broadband.
Priority 2:
Increase availability of broadband to all communities and rural areas.
Priority 3:
Adequate access and bandwidth for health care providers.
Priority 4:
Utilize broadband technology to benefit businesses, local governments and non-profits.
Priority 5:
Enhancing agriculture through technology.
Southwest Region Priorities
Priority 1: Digital Literacy and Adoption
Collaborate with libraries and others to provide individual and small group training on the use of broadband; promote awareness and adoption through the news media, including papers and newsletters.
Priority 2: Economic Development
Increase the number of business, including agribusinesses and agricultural producers that utilize broadband technology. Efforts will include working with chambers of commerce and providing educational opportunities.
Priority 3: Local Government
Local Government—Identify options to expand the usage of broadband technology including training.
Central Region Priorities
Priority 1: Economic Development
Create community or regional technology teams; develop educational programs on how businesses can capitalize on broadband; and explore ways to bring high-speed Internet to areas that currently do not have access.
Priority 2: Agriculture
Provide education and develop a plan to encourage producers to explore technology that would benefit their decision making.
Southeast Region Priorities
Priority 1: Agriculture
he Southeast region includes a high urban population; however, a very large number of production agriculture and agribusinesses dot the map of southeast Nebraska. The majority are multi-million dollar businesses that lack access to high-speed Internet. Initial action steps include providing education and developing a plan to encourage producers to explore technology that would benefit their decision making.
Priority 2: Economic Development
Communities, local businesses, families, youth and senior citizens should recognize the important role broadband will play in building a sustainable community/region for the future. Initial action steps include developing community or regional technology teams, developing educational programs on how they can capitalize on broadband, and exploring ways to bring high-speed Internet to areas that currently do not have access.
Northeast Region Priorities
Priority 1:
Work with telecommunications providers and other stakeholders to ensure the availability of quality broadband for all
Priority 2:
Work with telecommunications providers and other stakeholders to ensure affordable broadband service
Priority 3:
Promote broadband adoption as an incentive to retain and return increasing numbers of rural youth and working age adults
Priority 4:
Promote broadband adoption and utilization as an incentive for economic development
Omaha Region Priorities
Priority 1: Digital Literacy & Adoption
Establish partnerships with key stakeholder groups to accomplish goals outlined in the regional plan and develop a series of workshops with the partners to provide effective education for their clientele.
Priority 2: Health Care
Develop tools as needed to provide access to needed services (such as health care enrollment).
Priority 3: Economic Development
Utilize AIM’s Career Link for low-resource families to find employment opportunities.
Priority 4:Non Profits & Education
Work with community partners to provide effective education and build awareness of how non-profits can increase their influence and effectively deliver services using technology.
Get Involved
Learn more and take action to bring broadband to your area.
Is broadband available?
Review the Nebraska Broadband Map
See what broadband services are available in your town or region in Nebraska. The data for the map was collected from broadband service providers, anchor institutions and residents of Nebraska.
View the Map
Is your community leveraging broadband?
Review the Broadband Community Planning Workbook.
Learn how your community is currently utilizing broadband and identify ways in which broadband can enhance or develop opportunities. Click here to see if your community is ready to leverage broadband.
View the Workbook