(Oct. 6, 2025 — Marina, CA) — Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) joins with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) in observing Digital Inclusion Week (Oct. 6-10), an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance of inclusion in our increasingly digital world. This week-long event showcases the collective efforts to bridge the digital divide and highlights the impactful work being done to ensure everyone has access to technology and the internet.
Since 2016, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership has led the charge to make high-speed internet a reality for all. We view broadband as essential infrastructure— vital to economic mobility, education, health equity, and digital inclusion. Through a focused strategy of Infrastructure, access, and awareness, MBEP advanced regional solutions as executive director for the Central Coast Broadband Consortium (CCBC) and founding executive director of the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority (SSVBA). MBEP has secured over $70 million in broadband infrastructure funding for rural and underserved communities in the Monterey Bay region and prioritized 33,000+ unserved residents in state and federal broadband funding pipelines through strategic advocacy and mapping.
But the digital divide extends beyond infrastructure, and broadband access doesn’t automatically equate with adoption, says Maure Gildea, MBEP Associate Director of Economic Development and Digital Access. Unaffordable internet fees, a lack of devices, or unfamiliarity with digital skills still keep many in our region from fully engaging in the digital landscape.
“Affordable internet, and the skills necessary to use it, aren’t just nice to have,” said Gildea. “They are essential in an increasingly digital economy and society.”
To address those gaps, MBEP recently created the Central Coast Digital Access Coalition to bring stakeholders from all over the region together to collaborate on solutions. At its first working group meeting, the discussion focused on regional needs ahead of Digital Inclusion Week.Looking ahead, the Central Coast Digital Access Coalition has outlined multiple goals, including:
- Raising awareness of digital inclusion.
- Uplifting the important work already being done across the region to support digital skills training, digital adoption initiatives, cybersecurity training, and affordability programs.
- Collaborating regionally to share best practices, knowledge, and data.
Get involved! As part of its Digital Inclusion Week outreach, the Digital Access Coalition is preparing to launch a survey to advance our goal of making sure that all residents can meaningfully participate in the digital economy.
Learn about our Broadband and Digital Equity initiative on our website or contact Maure Gildea, Associate Director of Economic Development and Digital Access.
About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP): Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.