Program

FranklinCountyDigital
EquityCoalition

Overview

Partners

Resources & Documents

Official Site

Equitable internet access is critical now more than ever, therefore Smart Columbus is working with public and private partners to ensure all Columbus residents have access to reliable and affordable digital resources.

A CONNECTED COLUMBUS

Over 80,000 households across Franklin County lack home internet, and inequities in access, affordability, and reliability only continues to grow. As the lead facilitator for the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition, Smart Columbus is working with organizations in the government, education, healthcare, social service, and private sectors to ensure Columbus is an inclusively digital and connected city.

CLOSING THE GAP

In 2020, when the pandemic hit and people were forced to work and learn from home, the impact of the city’s digital divide had never been more evident. The Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition was created to level the digital playing field in Franklin County by:

Ensuring under-resourced residents have access to residential internet, connected devices, and digital skills training opportunities.
At an equitable level of quality that enables today's online experiences.
And at an affordable price point for low-income households.

To achieve this, the DEC is prioritizing four key objectives:

Connectivity

Expand reliable, high-speed residential internet options in Franklin County’s low-income neighborhoods at an affordable cost for under-resourced households.

Device Access

Create a sustainable stream of different types of high-quality digital devices at low to no-cost for Franklin County residents who need them.

Digital Life Skills

Expand and increase access to digital skills training that supports residents individualized needs on a continuum of survival to career.

Outreach & Adoption

Establish a multi-channel outreach approach activated by a network of partners to better provide residents with information so they can do what they want and need to do online.

FIND OUT MORE

Visit the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition site to get more details.