Localities have been focusing on smart city initiatives and, separately, connectivity projects for more than a decade. The pandemic and subsequent rounds of federal stimulus packages have given localities and unprecedented opportunity to bring those two goals together into a more unified push for connected communities. This handbook outlines the strategies, policies and solutions that will empower local governments to bridge the digital divide, optimize their use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and pave the way for a more connected, more equitable future.