“Rural municipalities often face unique challenges, including limited budgets, smaller populations, and gaps in broadband infrastructure, which can hinder their ability to adopt and implement digital services effectively.”
The Role of Municipal Digital Services in Advancing Rural Resilience (Vanessa R. Levesque, Kathleen P. Bell, Eileen S. Johnson)
Click here for a webinar discussion for the municipal inventory guide
Background
The Municipal Tech Survey project emerged from the need to understand how Maine’s rural communities are adapting to and utilizing digital technology. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vital role technology plays in supporting civic engagement, service accessibility, and community resilience. Municipalities faced significant challenges, from enabling remote participation in meetings to maintaining accessible and up-to-date websites.
To address these challenges, the Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC), the Midcoast Council of Governments (MCOG), and the Island Institute collaborated to survey municipalities across Hancock, Waldo, and Knox counties. This initiative aimed to assess the technologies municipalities are using and identify the barriers they face in adopting and integrating digital tools into their operations.
Over the course of the project:
- 70 municipalities were surveyed across Hancock and Waldo counties and Maine’s 15 unbridged islands.
- Municipal officials, staff, and volunteers were interviewed to understand their use of technology and the challenges they faced.
- A panel with municipal leaders was held in Hancock County discuss why digital engagement is important for local governments and the opportunities it can provide.
- A methodology and toolkit were developed to support other organizations in conducting their own surveys.
This collaborative effort highlighted key areas where digital tools could enhance civic participation and service delivery while also underscoring the need for greater support in training, infrastructure, and funding. The findings have not only informed local policy but also provided a roadmap for other communities to follow.
This resource hub builds on that work, offering the tools and insights needed to replicate and expand these efforts in communities statewide and beyond.