Closing the Digital Divide

Digital Inclusion

Meaningful participation in the digital economy requires more than new digital infrastructure investments – it requires awareness, education, and sustained support so that people can use the internet safely and effectively. HR&A researches what works in diverse communities across the country, advises on investment strategies and public policy, and designs and delivers programs with communities of all sizes — from a tribal nation of a few hundred households to the largest states in the country. We take an ecosystem approach, partnering with on-the-ground service providers to meet communities where they are, while helping to build the capabilities to support them – organizational structures, funding strategies, cross-sectoral coalitions, and new data and software tools. Our digital products are increasingly elevating ecosystem capacities to deliver results more efficiently and communicate with policymakers more effectively.

Projects

State of North Carolina Digital Equity Resource Finder

HR&A collaborated with the North Carolina Office of Digital Equity and Literacy (ODEL) to create the NC Resource Finder, consolidating over 1,000 fragmented digital equity resources into a searchable, accessible platform. Our data strategy and stakeholder engagement transformed scattered information into a user-friendly tool that enables digital navigators, librarians, and community organizations to connect North Carolinians with essential internet services and digital literacy resources.

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Projects

Clark County Broadband Action and Community Engagement Plan & Implementation

HR&A developed and continues to advance a comprehensive Strategic Broadband Action Plan for Clark County, Nevada, home to 70 percent of the state's residents. Our multi-phase approach has helped the County secure over $11 million in federal funding, establish a Broadband Program Office, and position Clark County as a national leader in equitable broadband deployment and digital inclusion.

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Projects

State of Texas Digital Opportunity Plan

HR&A collaborated with the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) to develop the State’s first ever comprehensive statewide Digital Opportunity Plan, establishing their roadmap to universal broadband availability, affordability, and adoption.

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We Work with

State Governments

Local Governments

Philanthropies

Universities

Healthcare institutions

Innovative businesses

Services

Digital Tools

Digital solutions for complex urban challenges.

HR&A Labs develops custom digital platforms that transform complex data into accessible insights. We pair digital tools with strategic advisory to enable organizations to streamline processes, visualize opportunities, and make informed decisions with interactive dashboards, mapping applications, and specialized analytical tools tailored to address specific challenges.

Economic & Fiscal Impact Analysis

Quantifying value for informed decisions.

We conduct rigorous assessments that measure the economic and fiscal effects of transformative investments. Using advanced modeling, industry expertise, and place-based data, we evaluate job creation, revenue generation, multiplier effects, and public costs, providing stakeholders with compelling evidence to support investment priorities, secure funding, support negotiations, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of transformative projects.

Funding & Financing

Capital strategies that unlock project potential.

We identify, structure, and secure diverse funding sources for transformative initiatives, combining federal grants, state programs, philanthropic capital, and innovative financing mechanisms to create comprehensive funding strategies that reduce risk, maximize leverage, and ensure projects have sustainable capital structures from inception through completion.

Governance & Organizational Design

Structures that enable mission fulfillment.

We architect effective governance frameworks and organizational models that align with strategic objectives. Our work supports the launch of new institutions, reform of existing systems, and coordination across public, private, and civic sectors by crafting decision-making processes, operational systems, and institutional capabilities that enhance performance, foster innovation, and build resilience, enabling public agencies, nonprofits, and cross-sector collaboratives to adapt to changing environments while maintaining accountability and advancing their core purpose.

Policy Evaluation & Design

Data-driven analysis for impactful solutions.

We conduct rigorous assessments and develop innovative policy frameworks to address complex socioeconomic challenges and create practical pathways that improve access, enhance opportunity for all, and generate sustainable community outcomes.

Procurement

Competitive sourcing for exceptional project delivery.

We design and manage procurement processes that deliver value and advance equity goals, developing RFP strategies, vendor evaluation frameworks, and contract structures that attract top-tier partners while creating opportunities for local and disadvantaged businesses to participate meaningfully in transformative public and private sector initiatives.

Projects

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Broadband Strategic Plan

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Realitos, TX

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Broadband Strategic Plan

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas engaged HR&A to launch an innovative digital equity program supporting device distribution, digital skills building, and public benefit adoption across the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Border Region, San Antonio, and Austin. Our RFP design, evaluation process, and organizational capacity building resulted in $21.7 million committed to 20 organizations over three years, directly impacting more than 100,000 residents.

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