Orange County NC Website
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45 <br /> While overall broadband adoption has improved, disparities persist among different demographic <br /> groups: <br /> • Minority Populations: Historically,African American (78%) and Hispanic (87%) households <br /> have had lower subscription rates compared to White and Asian households. <br /> • Income Levels: Households with lower incomes continue to have lower broadband <br /> subscription rates. For instance, households earning less than $20,000 annually are less <br /> likely to have broadband access compared to higher-income households. <br /> These disparities suggest that while the majority of Orange County is equipped with broadband <br /> infrastructure, affordability and digital literacy remain barriers for certain populations.Additionally, <br /> rural areas of the county may face challenges related to broadband availability and adoption. <br /> Efforts to address these gaps are ongoing. For example, North Carolina has awarded$30 million in <br /> Digital Champion grants to various organizations to help residents access and effectively use high- <br /> speed internet, aiming to bridge the digital divide across the state. In summary,while broadband <br /> internet access in Orange County has increased,targeted initiatives are necessary to ensure <br /> equitable access for all residents, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities, low-income <br /> households, and rural communities. <br /> Describe the need for increased competition by having more than one broadband Internet <br /> service provider serve the jurisdiction. <br /> In Chapel Hill and Carrboro, residents have access to multiple broadband internet providers, <br /> including Spectrum,AT&T, Google Fiber, Earth Link, and Frontier.These providers offer a range of <br /> high-speed internet services,with options such as fiber-optic connections delivering speeds up to <br /> 5 gigabits per second. In contrast,the more rural areas of Orange County have historically faced <br /> challenges with broadband accessibility due to fewer service providers. In 2022, Orange County <br /> approved a contract with NorthState Communications to further develop broadband infrastructure, <br /> targeting nearly 28,000 addresses to enhance internet accessibility across the county.These <br /> initiatives reflect Orange County's commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that both <br /> urban and rural residents have access to reliable, high-speed internet services. <br /> MA-65 Hazard Mitigation - 91 .210(a)(5), 91 .310(a)(3) <br /> Describe the jurisdiction's increased natural hazard risks associated with climate change. <br /> Since its formation in September 2019,the Orange County Climate Council—comprising Orange <br /> County, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro—has actively pursued collaborative strategies to <br /> address climate change. In May 2024,the Council reconvened with a renewed mission to exchange <br /> information on climate justice, mitigation, resiliency, and adaptation, and to maintain an updated <br /> inventory of climate initiatives. On November 2, 2023,the Orange County Board of County <br /> Commissioners adopted the county's first Climate Action Plan, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas <br /> emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Local municipalities have also <br /> intensified their efforts;for instance, Carrboro joined the Intergovernmental Climate Council in <br /> April 2024 to enhance regional collaboration.Additionally,the Chapel Hill Town Council has been <br /> 42 <br />