Dubois Strong, Purdue Extension Share Digital Inclusiveness Findings

By Kris Norton, [email protected]

Jasper - Dubois Strong and Purdue Center for Regional Development met Monday night to share findings of a "Digital Inclusiveness" survey conducted online.

The study's, and survey's, purpose was to reveal how people in Southern Indiana counties were affected by internet coverage and prices, and how both stacked up with the rest of the state. Dubois County compared favorably to the state in terms of accessibility for students, according to Buechler Media Owner Tony Buechler.

“Dubois County was ahead of the game with the pandemic, computers were going home with students," said Buechler.

Though students were able to access the internet in strong numbers during the pandemic, others may not have been so lucky.

"(There were) People driving around parking lots, libraries, McDonald’s looking for coverage," Buechler said.

Per the survey, the average family in Dubois County is paying approximately $50 per month for internet service, though only 50 to 60 percent were satisfied with their current coverage.

Correction: the data was prepared by the Purdue Center for Regional Development