The city of Portland is getting more money to help address the digital divide.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
The pandemic shined a bright light on the digital divide in Portland – and across the country – as schools and some workplaces went online almost overnight. Earlier in the pandemic, a $5 million infusion of federal money came in to help address disparities in access and internet connectivity in Portland.
And now, the city will get additional federal dollars to help bridge the digital divide, according to Elisabeth Perez, the director of Portland’s Office for Community Technology.
“I’m excited to say that the city council allocated an additional $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan act funding,” she said.
The new funding would allow for purchasing additional laptops and tablets for Portlanders struggling to get access at home. The city is working on community engagement to get a better sense of digital access needs.
Listen to the entire conversation: