Title
Recognizing the partnership of Comcast, the Sanneh Foundation, and Saint Paul Public Libraries to help bridge the digital divide.
Body
Whereas, the digital divide is defined as the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not; and
Whereas, nationally 27 percent of homes have no broadband service, and according to the Saint Paul Public Libraries, 22 percent of all households in Saint Paul have no internet service; and
Whereas, the gap between households with and without internet service is felt more acutely among lower income households and households of color; and
Whereas, the result is that nearly a quarter of the city’s families are without meaningful access to the information superhighway; and
Whereas, for many, that means an inability to accomplish simple tasks such as responding to online job postings, following their children’s progress at school, or paying bills and engaging in other important transactions; and for students, it means not having access to information they may need to properly complete an assignment or perform necessary research for a school project; and
Whereas, last week Comcast announced a significant expansion in eligibility for the Internet Essentials program, offering internet service for qualified low-income households, and serving new populations including people with disabilities, new parents, and adults without school age children are now eligible to apply; and
Whereas, on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at the Conway Community Center; Comcast, professional soccer star Tony Sanneh and the Sanneh Foundation and Saint Paul Public Libraries held a public event to share this news, announce a new partnership with Saint Paul Public Libraries to support computer training classes and promote Internet Essentials, and unveil a new library delivery vehicle, branded and sponsored by Comcast; now therefore be it
Resolved, the Saint Paul City Council hereby recognizes Comcast and its partners, the Sanneh Foundation and the Saint Paul Public Libraries, in their efforts to bridge the digital divide for Saint Paul families.