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In honor of Digital Inclusion Week, a nationwide event to share efforts in local communities to promote digital inclusion and equity, Louisville Metro Government is highlighting efforts to expand access to the internet, technology devices and digital literacy training.
Digital Inclusion Week is celebrated nationwide to share efforts in local communities that promote digital inclusion and equity. Metro agencies will join with community partners in hosting events throughout the city, including two low-cost internet signup opportunities, the Verizon Innovative Initiative launch, free computer trainings, a digital inclusion workshop, a door-to-door outreach, and a computer donation drive.
“Internet access and literacy are essential for citizens to reach their full potential — to apply for jobs, to do their work and school assignments, complete entire college degree programs and more,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.
“The commitment of our city to expand digital inclusion shows in the efforts of our Office for Civic Innovation, our work to bring Google Fiber and to launch it in Portland and Newburg, and our collaborations with civic hackers to use technology to help citizens.”
Grace Simrall, the city’s Chief of Civic Innovation and Technology, added: “Our goal during Digital Inclusion Week is to highlight our city’s Digital Inclusion Strategy and the resources, knowledge and expertise that address the challenges we face.”
About 29 percent of Louisville households do not have a wired internet connection at home, and about 19 percent do not have a laptop or desktop at home, according to a 2016 American Community Survey data.
Learn more about Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion Plan
Louisville Digital Inclusion Week events
- Monday, Oct 8 – Launch of Digital Inclusion Week on social media. Join the conversation on social media by using #DIW2018 or “#Digital4AllLou” to call attention to the importance of digital inclusion.
- Tuesday, Oct. 9 – Verizon Innovative Learning Initiative launch. Mayor Fischer joins with JCPS to announce Verizon’s $5.1 million investment in technology, which will provide free tablets and data plans to students and teachers at five JCPS middle schools. Located at Newburg Middle School, 4901 Exeter Ave., 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 10 –
- Free Internet Basics training at Jeffersontown and Iroquois libraries, Microsoft Word 2 at the Main Library, andExcel (2016) Formulas & Functions 2 at the South Central Regional Library. All Louisville Free Public Library locations provide free computer and internet access, along with computer training classes, open to the public throughout the year. See full schedule.
- Low-cost internet outreach and sign-up event at the Main Library, 301 York St., 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Learn about and receive help signing up for low-cost internet plans in our community for qualifying households. Read more for eligibility.
- Thursday, Oct. 11 –
- Digital Inclusion Workshop at Neighborhood Place Annual Day, a day of training and team-building for more than 300 social services staff attendees. Held at the Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Lane, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Grow with Google train the trainer event for existing partners to build capacity to offer digital trainings to clients they serve.
- Friday, Oct. 12 – Door-to-door outreach in the Russell neighborhood as part of the city’s Building Our Blocks to inform residents about low-cost broadband options.
- Saturday, Oct. 13 –
- Laptop Donation Drive at Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Place, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. to collect donations of used laptops (with power cords) which can be refurbished and distributed to residents in need.
- Low cost internet outreach and sign-up event for qualifying households at the Bon Air Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read morefor eligibility.
To learn more about Digital Inclusion Week and Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, visit http://digitalinclusion.louisvilleky.gov/
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined PNC, the Louisville Central Community Centers and other partners to celebrate the grand opening of the pilot PNC Gigabit Experience Center in Russell.
The PNC Gigabit Experience Center, located in the Old Walnut Street development of Louisville Central Community Centers, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., gives Louisvillians access to wireless super-fast internet speeds in a modern, collaborative setting.
The center will have laptops available for use there, free of charge. The city, LCCC and other partners also plan to offer technology courses and related events at the center.
(Learn more about Louisville’s Digital Inclusion Strategy)
Mayor Fischer is urging all Louisvillians to visit the center.
“The growth of Louisville’s digital economy must be inclusive of all residents no matter their ZIP code — for the budding entrepreneurs and innovators of today and for the families of tomorrow,” Mayor Fischer said. “The PNC Gigabit Experience Center allows residents of Russell and the entire city realize the potential that technology has for the future of our community and economy.”
The pilot version of the PNC Gigabit Experience Center will be open through July, providing the partners an idea about how best to offer free super-fast Wi-Fi in the Russell neighborhood in the future. They’ll do that in coordination with Vision Russell, a neighborhood redevelopment project, funded through the $29.5 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant.
This pilot version of the Gigabit Experience Center will be open at LCCC from:
- Monday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8p.m.
- Wednesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
Thanks to the generous support of Heine Brothers, the center will provide free coffee for up to 50 people every weekday morning in the month of May.
“The Gigabit Experience Center will help attract entrepreneurs and support job creation strategies at the Old Walnut Street complex,” said LCCC CEO Kevin Fields. “We appreciate Mayor Fischer’s vision to bring this critical investment to our Center.”
The PNC Gigabit Experience Center is part of Louisville Metro’s digital inclusion strategy, which includes efforts to increase home internet access and train residents with fundamental skills of the 21st Century. Other efforts include the launch of free public Wi-Fi in the Russell neighborhood, an interactive data map and community dialogue on redlining, and the Kentucky Wired projects recommended in Mayor Fischer’s 2017-18 budget. The ultimate goal of the digital inclusion strategy is to create equity in access to technology and the internet for all Louisvillians.
The city’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, which was released today, can be found at http://digitalinclusion.louisvilleky.gov.
“The Gigabit Experience Center is the most recent step of many promoting equitable access to technology and the internet in Louisville,” said Grace Simrall, Chief of Civic Innovation for Louisville Metro. “We are excited to have gigabit access publicly -available in Russell and encourage the community to come to LCCC to experience this amazing space and gigabit speeds.”
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro’s efforts to extend super-fast internet access were boosted last month with Google Fiber’s preparations to begin construction in the city.
The Gigabit Experience Center was made possible through support from the PNC Foundation, Next Century Cities, Living Cities and the Louisville Metropolitan Housing Authority.
“Next Century Cities is proud to support the city of Louisville and Mayor Fischer as they open the Gigabit Experience Center,” said Deb Socia, Executive Director of Next Century Cities. “The Center will provide the resources, training, and internet access that Louisvillians need. It will help to build the city’s technology ecosystem and arm residents with the digital skills necessary for full participation in the 21st Century economy.”
