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Council Member Komives
Title
Authorizing the City of Toledo to fund $20,000 towards the Greater Toledo Digital Equity Coalitions (GTDEC) analysis of resident's broadband access and affordability throughout Lucas County; partnering with Bowling Green State University's Center for Regional Development for a full analysis and report of findings; with full oversight of the program by Toledo Lucas County Public Library; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Since the fall of 2021, Toledo Lucas County Public Library has been convening the "Greater Toledo Digital Equity Coalition," a cross-sector alliance composed of individuals representing entities such as the City of Toledo, Lucas County Board of Commissioners, Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority, Bitwise Industries, the Office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and numerous others. The intent of the Coalition is to further understand the specific hardships community members must continuously overcome when accessing or using basic technological services. The Coalition now looks to formally engage Bowling Green State University's Center for Regional Development to conduct a digital equity gap analysis-ensuring that Lucas County entities are prepared to receive unprecedented investments from the federal government for broadband connectivity and to close the digital gap; across the U.S.
The Greater Toledo Digital Equity Coalition is seeking $20,000 from the City of Toledo to finance the mentioned digital equity analysis/scan across Lucas County, allowing the Coalition to harness concrete data about where dollars should be applied to remedy inequities around access and cost. Furthermore, the Coalition hopes that initial funding and additional community investments will create a reserve to quickly develop and mobilize responsive programs that address the issues uncovered by the analysis. Lastly, a formal digital equity scan analysis will make Lucas County a stronger competitor for future...
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