More and more, the way we learn, connect, work and live is happening online. But not everyone has access. In Franklin County, a groundbreaking program is ensuring residents aren't left behind.

Alongside Smart Columbus and the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition, 16 community-based organizations (CBO) are stacking hands to launch the county’s largest upskilling initiative. The Digital Skills Hub’s is to train and distribute no-cost devices to 10,000 underserved residents. In this model, CBO partners leverage shared tools, like a common curriculum and registration website, so they can focus on meeting participants where they are through culturally relevant classes across all corners of Columbus.

The digital divide in Franklin County

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital divide in our region. As life, work, school, and healthcare moved online, the persistent gap between residents who had access and those who didn't became impossible to ignore.

• → 89% of Ohio jobs now require digital skills
• → 33% of workers lack these essential digital skills
• → 1 in 10 households in Franklin County have no internet or device access

In response, local leaders came together to act. What began as a crisis response evolved into the ConnectUS, a group of 60+ cross-sector organizations working toward a bold, shared vision:

Digital equity: a state in which all individuals and communities have the access and skills needed for full participation in society.
 

Turning insight into action

In 2021, the DEC launched a series of research efforts to understand the opportunity. The findings were clear: digital equity is a critical driver of economic, social, and public health.

• → For residents: $2M+ lifetime income increase for students with reliable internet access
• → For the community: Expanded Telehealth access, hybrid work, digital government services with broader digital access
• → For the economy: 3% average increase in new business formation in communities with ultra-fast broadband

The Coalition published the Digital Equity Action Agenda, a county-wide roadmap that defined strategies, clarified roles, and created a shared framework for progress. Smart Columbus was named the lead implementation partner, responsible for bringing the vision to life across four priority areas.

1. Connectivity

   1. → High-quality residential internet for the long term

2. Devices

   1. → Distribute new devices through skill training programs

   2. → High-quality device access for residents and community organizations

3. Skills

   1. → Expand digital skills training programs, coupled with device distribution

   2. → Invest in demographic-specific training programs (Summer STEM, etc)

4. Outreach and adoption

   1. → Community-wide adoption campaign with culturally relevant messaging

   2. → Build a resident-centered Digital Navigator Ecosystem

Franklin County and the City of Columbus invested in these priorities with a $20.2 million multi-year commitment. The Digital Skills Hub is the first and largest program to come out of this collective action. It will work toward goals Two (Devices) and Three (Skills) at once: To train and distribute devices to 10,000 residents by 2027.

The Digital Skill Hub: Comprehensive Programming

The Digital Skills Hub’s big goal of serving thousands of residents can only be achieved through collaborative work: shared resources, centralized registration, multiple locations across the city, and culturally relevant course delivery. Smart Columbus serves as the central coordinator of the Digital Skills Hub, bringing together all participating CBOs.

Every resident who completes a Digital Skills Hub course will walk away with:

• → Basic computer skills
• → Confidence in navigating email, browsers, and office tools
• → Privacy and security best practices
• → A no-cost large screen device (for eligible residents at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line)

Participants report immediate, transformative results: "I came in with minimal computer skills and left feeling empowered and capable of navigating technology."
 

The program has seen remarkable growth since its initial launch:

• → 2023: 100 residents trained through the pilot program
• → 2024: Expansion to 7 organizations with over 800 graduates since October
• → 2025: Scaling to 16 partner organizations with a goal of 3,000 annual graduates
• → 2027 goal: 10,000 residents are trained and received no-cost devices

Bridging the digital divide

The Digital Skills Hub is one of the most ambitious efforts ever launched to close the digital divide, here or anywhere in the country. It's only possible because of deep collaboration, community trust, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the tools to thrive in a digital world.

This is how we build a more connected Columbus, together.