Empowerment Zones

Today’s economy favors communities that can identify and bring together information and communication technology resources to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Communities that offer tools to help residents, organizations and institutions develop are better equipped to compete in the world today by improving residents’ quality of life while increasing the community’s local economic potential.

To this end, providing convenient opportunities for accessing the Internet is critical. Expanded Access will create Digital Empowerment Zones within the communities we serve by placing self-service access devices (i.e., computers, interactive web-enabled kiosks) in convenient locations where community residents congregate, conduct business and live. In addition, leveraging broadband WiFi technology, we will offer portable classrooms at convenient locations to train people on computer and Internet usage which will augment Community Technology Centers (CTCs) services or make computer learning available in areas where no CTCs exist.

Application of these technologies at the community level will strengthen the community by increasing IT literacy, supporting economic growth, and expanding access to heath care, educational and social services.