1. What is my project?
Through the Trees is a new nonprofit working to break down the digital divide in Transylvania County, NC. In our first year, we aim to connect 10% of the households in the county that are currently without access to broadband. This grant would fund the purchase and installation of a hotspot in a family home or community center in one of the most rural portions of the county. It would also support the basic operating costs for the organization in its first year. The hotspot installation would serve as proof-of-concept to show potential funders the benefits of internet expansion in the county.
2. What is the problem that I am aiming to solve?
We want to address the issue of the digital divide, “the gap between those who have access to technology, the internet, and digital literacy training, and those that do not,” in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Transylvania is a rural county in the mountains of Western North Carolina with a population of approximately 35,000. According to NC Broadband, 20% of households in the county are without internet entirely, and access speeds are slow outside of the population centers.
We have only one cable/DSL/fiber provider and two satellite companies. Satellite access in the region is not strong enough residentially to support video chats and streaming for multiple simultaneous users. DSL often doesn’t keep up with these demands, either, particularly at the most distant points.
When the pandemic hit our community, the lack of internet access in the county became clear. Many rural students do not have access to adequate internet at home. Work professionals who used to commute to cities were suddenly unemployed or learning how to work online at home. This was challenging, or even impossible, for those who live in rural Transylvania County.
We have only one cable/DSL/fiber provider and two satellite companies. Satellite access in the region is not strong enough residentially to support video chats and streaming for multiple simultaneous users. DSL often doesn’t keep up with these demands, either, particularly at the most distant points.
When the pandemic hit our community, the lack of internet access in the county became clear. Many rural students do not have access to adequate internet at home. Work professionals who used to commute to cities were suddenly unemployed or learning how to work online at home. This was challenging, or even impossible, for those who live in rural Transylvania County.
3. What does my project mean for the future?
Higher speeds and more access to the internet will allow the underserved to have the same access as the rest of the county. More equitable service will improve education, health care, and the economy. Students learning remotely will be able to keep up with their classmates. Everyone will be able to access news and information more easily. Telehealth will be available to those who only “come down the mountain” when absolutely necessary. Workers will be able to telecommute to jobs otherwise unavailable to them. Small businesses can establish themselves outside the city centers. Adding technological capacity is a sustainable route to economic growth that does not compromise the natural beauty and habitats of our county.
4. What is new and different about my project?
Though the Trees is new and different because we are the only overarching group looking to connect the entire community through technology. We are collaborating with established nonprofits, schools, local government, and ISPs to identify and address the gaps in service and identify additional needs. Transylvania County nonprofits focus their missions on specific groups (e.g., domestic violence, children under 5, Latinx), but they don’t address the population at large. None focus exclusively on technology. The broad scope of our mission will allow us to use this project as a jumping-off point for projects that have the potential to make a huge difference in individual lives.
5. How does my project link to my bigger dream? How do I define my dream? What made me want to do this?
The concept of Through the Trees came from Yvette’s realization of how much need there is in the county. She says, “I knew about the underbelly of our community from previously working with domestic violence victims, but I had no idea just how underserved the rural portions of our county were until the pandemic hit.” In a very short time, she has gathered a group of volunteers who share her dream that Through the Trees will bridge the technological divide in our county.
6. How much money do I need?
We are requesting $2,000. See attached spreadsheet.
7. What are the steps I would take after receiving funding? What is my workable and sustainable plan?
Our strategy is to begin with hotspots in remote areas while incrementally extending the reach of existing broadband. As we publicize these activities, we will be gathering local financial support and soliciting grant funds to sustain future and ongoing organizational costs.
The first step would be to identify our proof-of-concept household or community center using the Transylvania County Broadband Community Profile completed by Land of Sky as a guide. Based on the success of that installation, we will create and distribute mail and social media campaigns to gather support for further action.
A related step is for us to work with our established community partners to install hotspots in other community centers not yet offering WiFi. Such hubs would give outlying communities the kind of free public access available downtown and at the public library in Brevard, the only city in the county.
The next step would be to start fundraising and awareness campaigns at the edge of areas that have good access. People living in those areas are likely to be engaged because they are frustrated and want to see improvement. People in the city can easily forget about the digital divide. People that are very rural are more likely to be struggling to make ends meet and only using the internet through WiFi, if it is available. Those on the edge of good service will want to know about expansion services and are more likely to have funds to donate to the nonprofit.
While spreading awareness and garnering support we will apply for larger grants and continue to collaborate with local government, internet providers and nonprofits to remove barriers to service in the rural areas that need broadband access.
The first step would be to identify our proof-of-concept household or community center using the Transylvania County Broadband Community Profile completed by Land of Sky as a guide. Based on the success of that installation, we will create and distribute mail and social media campaigns to gather support for further action.
A related step is for us to work with our established community partners to install hotspots in other community centers not yet offering WiFi. Such hubs would give outlying communities the kind of free public access available downtown and at the public library in Brevard, the only city in the county.
The next step would be to start fundraising and awareness campaigns at the edge of areas that have good access. People living in those areas are likely to be engaged because they are frustrated and want to see improvement. People in the city can easily forget about the digital divide. People that are very rural are more likely to be struggling to make ends meet and only using the internet through WiFi, if it is available. Those on the edge of good service will want to know about expansion services and are more likely to have funds to donate to the nonprofit.
While spreading awareness and garnering support we will apply for larger grants and continue to collaborate with local government, internet providers and nonprofits to remove barriers to service in the rural areas that need broadband access.
8. What is the way forward? Do I have a solid plan for getting to my dream if this project succeeds?
The way forward is working with local government and nonprofits to obtain grant funding and donations and not duplicate service. It’s going to take a strong collaborative effort. Transylvania County sees the need now from real estate, to teachers to doctors. We have a vested interest in expanding rural broadband.
Installing individual hotspots addresses only a tiny fraction of the technological divide issues in Transylvania County. Many mountain valleys can’t even access that service. We are in the process of building partnerships with local government, nonprofits, internet providers and educators to expand broadband access in the region. We have one broadband company and two satellite companies. Satellite in the region is not fast enough residentially to support video chats and streaming for multiple users. The broadband company offers DSL which can’t keep up with these needs, either. Only a lucky few have the coveted fiber broadband.
Our plan is to increase awareness of the digital divide in the county, obtain grant funding and donations in order to work with our partners to increase access as quickly as possible. We will be looking to help with hotspots now, help remove barriers to service in the rural areas that need broadband expansion and keep our eyes on the Starlink project and other technological advances. Through support of the community and grants we will sustain and engage with the community as new technologies become available.
If our dream of a fully-connected county becomes reality, then we will move on to address other technological needs. Those who live in rural poverty will always be at a disadvantage when it comes to purchasing and accessing the technology taken for granted in more affluent areas. We hope to continue to bridge that divide as long as we are needed. This micro-grant can give us a strong start. Thank you.
Installing individual hotspots addresses only a tiny fraction of the technological divide issues in Transylvania County. Many mountain valleys can’t even access that service. We are in the process of building partnerships with local government, nonprofits, internet providers and educators to expand broadband access in the region. We have one broadband company and two satellite companies. Satellite in the region is not fast enough residentially to support video chats and streaming for multiple users. The broadband company offers DSL which can’t keep up with these needs, either. Only a lucky few have the coveted fiber broadband.
Our plan is to increase awareness of the digital divide in the county, obtain grant funding and donations in order to work with our partners to increase access as quickly as possible. We will be looking to help with hotspots now, help remove barriers to service in the rural areas that need broadband expansion and keep our eyes on the Starlink project and other technological advances. Through support of the community and grants we will sustain and engage with the community as new technologies become available.
If our dream of a fully-connected county becomes reality, then we will move on to address other technological needs. Those who live in rural poverty will always be at a disadvantage when it comes to purchasing and accessing the technology taken for granted in more affluent areas. We hope to continue to bridge that divide as long as we are needed. This micro-grant can give us a strong start. Thank you.