Bridging the digital divide - Santa Barbara News-Press

Most of us don’t think too much about our Wi-Fi service. It’s just always there. We take it for granted.

But that’s not true for everybody. In our top story of the day, reporter Tom Schultz explains how the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is working to bring higher-speed internet service to the rural area of Cuyama in Santa Barbara County.

In California, 1 in 5 residents don’t have regular access to high-speed broadband internet service, state officials estimate. That’s a staggering number.

We have all been frustrated when our Wi-Fi slows down or stops working altogether — even if only for a few seconds. Imagine not being able to use it at all, or being in a home when only one person can get reliably good service. It is essential for businesses to have fast internet services; otherwise, they won’t invest in those areas.

The digital divide, as it is called, is a problem facing many rural communities. Government leaders are trying to bridge this divide, but it is expensive and takes time to lay the infrastructure.

Fortunately, serious efforts are underway to change that and bring tech equity to Cuyama and other rural areas. Check out the story for all the details on what is happening in our county.

We also have a couple of fun business stories for you to kick off your week. Aston Smith brings you a video and story of The Rack, Santa Barbara’s newest pool hall, which is family-friendly.

And Joy Martin serves up another masterfully written food feature, this time on new Italian restaurant Manifattura.

Joshua Molina

News-Press Editor

Local voices

Meagan Soloff, co-owner and general manager of The Rack, says her new pool hall is for everyone. (Photo by Aston Smith/For the Santa Barbara News-Press)

“We are a pool hall for all. I have a lot of players between 17 and 20 and they can’t go to bars, so they can’t play in any of the other leagues.”
— Meagan Soloff, co-owner and General Manager of The Rack