PHILADELPHIA—Earlier this month Philadelphia was granted $6.4 million in federal dollars to fund 77 public computer centers throughout the city with over 800 new computers. This project hopes to expand digital literacy by reaching over 14,500 of the most vulnerable residents each week.
The grant comes as part of the $7.2 billion federal broadband stimulus funds—set aside by the 2009 Stimulus Act, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The award will improve or create 19 recreation centers, 10 homeless shelters, 15 affordable housing sites, and 29 community-based organization sites working with high-risk populations, and 4 mobile computing labs.
Led by the city’s Division of Technology, the project includes partnerships with local organizations Philadelphia FIGHT, Media Mobilizing Project, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Recreation Department, Peoples Emergency Center, and Philadelphia OIC (Ownership In Change).
New America Foundation’s Open Technology Initiative (OTI), national experts on the broadband stimulus opportunity, provided on-the-ground assistance with technological, grant writing, and policy support.
The city kicked off an ambitious program, titled “Digital Philadelphia”, in June 2009. It aims to serve approximately 443,000 residents in north, west, and south Philadelphia. Digital Philadelphia is to build upon existing infrastructure and momentum in the areas of adoption and accessibility and focus on three main areas: Infrastructure, Public Computer Centers, and Adoption.
As part of “Digital Philadelphia” vision, several federal broadband stimulus grant applications were completed, including one to help improve network infrastructure throughout the city and several for computer implementation and education, like the one awarded on July 2.
The Division of Technology also applied for becoming a test candidate for Google’s ultra-high speed fiber broadband in May. It’s expected that Google will announce the candidates this fall.
The grant comes as part of the $7.2 billion federal broadband stimulus funds—set aside by the 2009 Stimulus Act, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The award will improve or create 19 recreation centers, 10 homeless shelters, 15 affordable housing sites, and 29 community-based organization sites working with high-risk populations, and 4 mobile computing labs.
Led by the city’s Division of Technology, the project includes partnerships with local organizations Philadelphia FIGHT, Media Mobilizing Project, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Recreation Department, Peoples Emergency Center, and Philadelphia OIC (Ownership In Change).
New America Foundation’s Open Technology Initiative (OTI), national experts on the broadband stimulus opportunity, provided on-the-ground assistance with technological, grant writing, and policy support.
The city kicked off an ambitious program, titled “Digital Philadelphia”, in June 2009. It aims to serve approximately 443,000 residents in north, west, and south Philadelphia. Digital Philadelphia is to build upon existing infrastructure and momentum in the areas of adoption and accessibility and focus on three main areas: Infrastructure, Public Computer Centers, and Adoption.
As part of “Digital Philadelphia” vision, several federal broadband stimulus grant applications were completed, including one to help improve network infrastructure throughout the city and several for computer implementation and education, like the one awarded on July 2.
The Division of Technology also applied for becoming a test candidate for Google’s ultra-high speed fiber broadband in May. It’s expected that Google will announce the candidates this fall.
