Home Internet Access

Providing digital access to individuals and businesses where it’s needed.

%

of Fiberhoods connected

Low-cost computers to families

Students Enrolled in Training Classes

Wireless mesh networks

The Opportunity

High-speed fiber cannot reach its full potential if large segments of our population are excluded from its benefits. We must ensure that all residents — especially those in disadvantaged groups — have access to technology and the equipment and skills to use it. The need to bridge the digital divide is inherent in most, if not all, of the plays in this playbook. Internet access helps pave the road to success in today’s society, and people who don’t have broadband access may be isolated from many of the opportunities afforded to those who do.

The Solution

Pilot projects addressing Digital Inclusion should not only provide high-speed Internet access in locations that will help drive community development and strengthen neighborhoods, but also provide the education and training that residents need to develop digital literacy skills. We recommend the following steps to ensure digital inclusion in the Greater Kansas City region:

  • The leadership network should identify existing community-based programs and groups that are working on this issue and determine how to support them moving forward.
  • Kansas City, Mo. and the Unified Government should develop strategies for inclusive public access at anchor institutions connected to Google’s high-speed fiber network, such as schools, community centers and libraries.
  • Work with organizations such as One Economy on longer-term strategies for digital inclusion.

Benefits & Outcomes

    • Impact the regional economy by helping residents gain employment skills.
    • Higher quality of life through improved access to public services and social, financial, cultural and informational resources.
    • Demonstrate measurable increases in technology access and digital competence.

Projects in action

MO Goes Tech

Organizations are invited to apply for the first MO Goes Tech cohort, and each selected organization will receive a $2,000 microgrant that includes $1,000 for a stipend for the staff trainer and $1,000 is unrestricted funds to boost digital service capacity.

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Connecting for Good

The only nonprofit for digital inclusion, Connecting for Good provides wireless mesh networks, community technology centers, low-cost refurbished PCs and free digital life skills classes.

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Computer Refurbishing

Thanks to nonprofits like Connecting for Good, certified, refurbished PCs can be produced for as low as $50-$75 to low-income families.

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Paint the Town Green

When Google Fiber announced its rollout strategy, KC Digital Drive proactively led the charge to make sure fiberhoods across the digital divide met their goals.

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News

Learning from the Broadband Journey of Spring Hill and Miami County

Broadband Expansion in Spring Hill and Miami County For many years, the town of Spring Hill Kansas struggled to attract internet providers interested in building high-speed broadband networks for its residents. Spring Hill often found itself being overlooked by providers and outside observers, who assumed that all of the towns in Johnson County were already […]

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KC COVID-19 Recovery Fund Opens RFP to Boost Digital Equity in the Region

The KC Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund invites community non-profit organizations and libraries to submit requests for funding to help area adult residents and households enroll in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), obtain computer devices to make use of the internet in homes, and gain skills through training and technical assistance.

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Partners