First of three possible federal grants to bring technology into low-income homes
December 17, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that Boston is one of the first cities in the nation to receive a major grant of $1.9 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
The $1.9 million will fund a multi-agency effort to provide new computers and software in 53 public computing centers including the main branch of the Boston Public Library and its 25 neighborhood branches; 16 Boston Centers for Youth and Families and the Boston Housing Authority’s 11 computer labs – all together serving a projected 18,700 people a week.
This grant will enable Boston to provide residents with more extensive computer access and new technology literacy training opportunities. Integrating new computers into the extensive programming already available at the Boston Centers for Youth and Families will greatly enhance those programs and help residents become comfortable with the power of technology to improve opportunities for learning, enrichment and workforce development.
“This grant is wonderful news for the City of Boston and its residents. It is proof that we are leading the way in applying for and securing crucial ARRA funding and putting it to work right away to advance the City’s progressive agenda of spreading innovative technology throughout Boston,” said Mayor Menino. “We will continue to seek funding to bring technology into all of Boston’s underserved homes. I want to applaud the Obama Administration for its recognition of Broadband access as a key tool to economic recovery.”
Mayor Menino thanked Governor Deval Patrick and Senator John Kerry for the extensive support they have shown the city throughout the grant application process. The Governor characterized the three grants a “highest priority” and his and the Senator’s continued support will mean a lot to the funding of the two remaining grant applications. The Mayor also thanked Congressmen Edward Markey, Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch, as well as Senator Paul Kirk for their support.
The grant is the first of three grants Boston has asked the NTIA to fund and serves as the first big step toward realizing Boston’s plan to effectively address digital inclusion among its lowest income residents. The two pending grants: $8 million for a hybrid fiber/wireless network to provide Internet connections into the homes of 117,000 lowest income residents and $5.4 million for two broadband adoption programs.
One of these programs, Technology Goes Home, trains families of Boston schoolchildren on how the Internet can benefit their children’s education and improve their family circumstances. The second program, OnLine Learning Readiness to be operated by the Timothy Smith Network, will train out of work adults in how to use computers and the Internet to find a job online and how to manage themselves as employees in the digital workplace. Graduates of both these programs will receive computers to take home in order to continue their broadband adoption.
“Funding of all three of these grants will make Boston a replicable urban showcase for how to effectively address the crucial need of digital inclusion for all our underserved residents,” said Bill Oates, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston and a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet. “Quality access to technology and information for all is vitally important for the future of our City.”
Contact:
Mayor’s Press Office at 617-635-4461
