Carol Cain| Free Press Business Columnist
Eight years ago, Detroit had among the worst rates of internet access of any major city in America with nearly 40% of its residents lacking broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler visited the Motor City in 2015 and wrote about the crisis and need for leaders to work together in places like Detroit and other communities to address this critical issue.
It mattered in 2015 and even more so today as broadband access is needed by folks as much as access to electricity and water to prosper in today’s technology-driven world.
The business and nonprofit community here heeded the call and have been rallying as leaders jumped on the tech bandwagon to help lift thousands more in the “D” to not only have technology access at work but also at home.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic — the PGA event at the Detroit Golf Club — has made bridging the digital divide its signature community cause and raised $3.8 million over the past three years, organizers have said.
Additionally, the Gilbert Family Foundationand the Rocket Community Fund have made digital inclusionan important part of their joint 10-year, $500 million commitment to the Detroit community, first announced in 2021.
The organizations also teamed up Oct. 2-6 during Detroit Digital Inclusion Week, held at Wayne State University in Detroit. The event staged by Connect 313 was attended by hundreds to learn more about the digital divide and programs to help.
Vittoria Katanski, director of Connect 313, said her organization was founded with funds from the Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2020,a result of the pandemic that highlighted the need as “so many Detroiters did not have the devices, internet access or skills they need to fully engage in a rapidly changing landscape in education, employment and health care.”
The money raised through the Rocket Mortgage Classic continues to fund the operations of Connect 313, which helps to coordinate digital inclusion in the city.
Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund, said:“Spurred by the pandemic, Rocket Mortgage created the Changing the Course initiative through its Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA Tour event in 2020. Since then, this initiative has helped Detroit make significant progress on bridging Detroit’s digital divide.”
Detroit has also enrolled more than 135,800 households for internet services through a national program to get residents access.
Grannemann added, “One of our biggest examples of success is Detroit’s engagement with the federal Affordable Connectivity Program which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a digital device.”
Additionally, more than 75,000 devices, including desktop and laptop computers, have been distributed to Detroiters, and Connect 313 has expanded its network of technology hubs, nonprofits offering digital lessons and access, from five to 22 in city neighborhoods.
Christine Burkette was hired nine months ago as Detroit’s director of digital equity and inclusion and focuses on bringing more people into the technology-charged future.
“Our mission is to close the digital divide by strengthening community engagement and outreach efforts through strategic initiatives, partnerships and innovative programming fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration and positive change,” Burkette said.
“Our team is focused on executing a 3- to 5-year strategic plan, working collaboratively with internal and external partners to integrate how we bridge the digital divide in the city of Detroit around internet availability, affordability, adoption and application,” she added.
Burkette said staff have taken an out-of-the-box approach to provide residents with access to 24-hour digital equity literacy courses by launching the city of Detroit Digital Equity and Inclusion “Basic Digital Literacy YouTube Channel.”
The new channel is set to debut Nov. 1 and will provide weekly “Did You Know” digital literacy PSAs, resume writing Wednesdays and senior citizen basic digital literacy Thursdays, she said.
With progress being made, there is concern that ACP, the Federal Communications Commission benefit program helping low-income Americans connect to the internet launched during the pandemic, will likely run out of funding in 2024 if no action is taken to sustain it.
What will happen to the 135,800 plus Detroit households who signed up?
“We want to make sure residents continue to receive support through the program as long as they can and we will also work to ensure they are connected to additional resources available through the city and Connect 313 so they don't lose access to internet service,” she added.
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Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 5:30 am Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sunday on Detroit 50 WKBD. It is also streamed 8 p.m. weeknights on CBSdetroit.com and CBSdetroit app. See Denise Ilitch, David Dulio, Suzy Avery, Laura Grannemann, Christine Burkette and Vittoria Katanski on this Sunday’s show.
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