Syracuse, N.Y. — The city of Syracuse is the only New York State municipality and one of just 47 nationwide to be named a 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
The recognition stems from several city efforts aimed at increasing residents’ access to affordable high-speed internet service, digital devices and skills training.
In the fall, the city launched a free broadband service project called Surge Link. The city partnered with Geneva-based Community Broadband Networks to install a fixed wireless network in 10 low-income city Census tracts on the south, southwest and near west sides, with the goal of signing up at least 2,500 low-income households for free, secure internet service. The city hopes to study the results of the project and come up with a plan to eventually launch the service citywide.
“Without closing the digital divide, we can’t achieve our Syracuse Surge mission of inclusive growth in the New Economy,” said Mayor Ben Walsh said in a press release. “It is Syracuse’s vision to be a growing city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all, and this distinction is evidence of our efforts to make that vision a reality.”
The Surge Link program also offers participants low-cost digital devices such as tablets and laptops. Prior to Surge Link coming online, the city had launched a digital literacy skills training program that also offers low-cost devices and free technical assistance for residents learning to how to use internet-based services.
“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director, in the news release. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers exemplify the key role local governments have in building connected communities for all of their residents.”
City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com, (315) 657-5673, Twitter or Facebook.
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