Press release
Comcast and Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission Commit $2 Million to Shrink Digital Divide in Multnomah County
Investment in Local Non-Profit Free Geek to Advance Economic Opportunity with Equipment and Training for Low-Income Communities --News Direct--Comcast and the
About this update from Comcast Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"Investment in Local Non-Profit Free Geek to Advance Economic Opportunity with Equipment and Training for Low-Income Communities\n--News Direct--Comcast and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission today announced a new $2 million investment in Free Geek, a leading local non-profit advancing economic equity through technology training and career building. This investment will help the most disconnected communities in Multnomah County get online and receive the resources, devices and technology education needed to advance digital skills for education and work, enhance economic mobility, and promote digital equity.“We see firsthand that the digital divide continues to be a persistent challenge for communities in Multnomah County. East Portland, Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, and Troutdale are home to some of our most disconnected communities. More than 3,000 residents do not own a computer and many others don’t know how to use it effectively,” said Juan Muro, Executive Director, Free Geek. “This investment will ensure that these families have the same benefits as others and their children have access to online resources to be successful in school.”Free Geek will use the investment to help bridge the digital divide by working to connect more people to the internet and getting devices into the hands of people who need them. In addition, Free Geek will serve as consultants to enable community partners to expand their own digital equity programs in alignment with the region's Digital Equity Action Plan, which is focused on helping the most vulnerable communities in Portland and Multnomah County. \"All Oregonians should be able to access the internet in order to connect with educational, health care, and economic opportunities,\" Governor Tina Kotek said. “Together, with public and private partners, we are working towards a common purpose of empowering individuals to get online, enhance digital skills, and advance economic mobility.”Free Geek will also bring additional capacity to its network of community partners as they work to remove barriers to broadband adoption. This includes addressing the lack of awareness about how to participate in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households with a credit of up to $30 per month toward their internet and/or mobile service – $75...