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UTB-CBIRD Report: “At The Crossroads” Economic Development 139
among local residents and businesses. 1 At the same time, the study exposed a
general lack of awareness among the population as to the benefits of a
community network as well as a lack of computer access and basic technology
skills training. This stalemate fully illustrates the edge of the digital divide:
While the technology (and perhaps even the infrastructure) may exist, due to
lack of education and/or final-end investment, the market is not realized and
community needs are not met.
Goals of Harlingen’s communities’ network are to increase computer use and
awareness among the underserved population with aggressive marketing and
outreach programs, including mobile computers with wireless Internet access
being available for user check-out. (Figure 5.21.) Harlingen’s coalition also
plans to sell portions of the network to local ISPs so the Chamber will not be
viewed as a potential competitor and to maintain project support from local ISP
companies.
Figure 5.20. Harlingen Communities’ Network: Leveraging Benefits
New Public Access Sites
Increase First-Time
Users
Enlarged Existing
Public Access Sites
Technology-Training
Opportunities
Online
Degrees
Mobile Access
Bi-lingual Portal to
Community Services
In summary, the steps the City of Harlingen and its Chamber are following toward
establishing a community network are:
⇒ Commitment to a shared vision
⇒ Creative Funding
⇒ Completion of a needs assessment
⇒ Unbiased non-vendor professional consulting
⇒ Established goals
⇒ Clearly defined responsibilities
1 Please refer to Appendix C, p. xxx
Source: IC² Institute
One Region -- One Future