GOV
Bridging the Digital Divide
Study Results and Our Commitment to Progress
Overview
In our ongoing commitment to foster inclusion and ensure equitable access to technology, we are thrilled to share our current projects to bridge the digital divide. This page will also link to project updates and other announcements in the future.
Understanding the Digital Divide
In an increasingly digital world, access to technology and the internet is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity. Unfortunately, disparities in digital access persist, impacting educational opportunities, job prospects, healthcare access, and overall quality of life for many residents in our city.
The Digital Inclusion Action Plan
The St. Louis Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines strategic priorities and actions that the City can undertake to improve equitable access to high speed internet and digital skills needed to succeed in today’s modern society.
The results of the original Guidehouse study have provided a set of actionable recommendations. The focus on driving results in 3 main areas:
- Governance: empower local government, businesses and community stakeholders to collaborate in closing the digital divide.
- Affordability and Adoption: Improve equitable access to affordable high-speed internet and connected devices
- Digital Literacy and Training: Enable residents to experience the long-term benefits of technology.
Recommended Projects
The study highlights 10 projects and provides a roadmap on implementation.
Our Commitment to Collaboration
We recognize that addressing the digital divide requires a collective effort. We are committed to working closely with community organizations, local businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to implement these projects effectively. Our intent is not to duplicate services already available but rather try to plug gaps or bolster existing efforts to increase their impact.
The Collective Impact Article by Stanford Social Innovation Review is a model for collaboration.
National Digital Inclusion Alliance Coalition Guidebook details building a coalition for Digital Equity.
Get Involved (ConnectSTL Coalition)
We encourage residents, businesses, and organizations to join us in this important endeavor. Your support, ideas, and engagement are vital to the success of these initiatives. One area we have been focusing energies on as we awaited the publishing of these results is developing a stronger Digital Inclusion Coalition for the region to amplify all of our efforts.
The City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) kicked off the #ConnectSTL Digital Inclusion Coalition to encourage collaboration and cooperation with technology-driven businesses and community stakeholders interested in helping to bridge the digital divide in St. Louis.
We welcome you to join our quarterly meetings to contribute and collaborate on our digital equity and inclusion efforts. Please View ConnectSTL Documents on our ConnectSTL documents page.
Conclusion
We are committed to ensuring that all residents have equal access to the opportunities and resources that today’s digital economy offers. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and digitally connected community.
Contact
Simon Huang
Chief Technology Officer
St. Louis Development Corporation
huangs@stlouis-mo.gov
Sheila Rabbitt
Broadband Analyst
St. Louis Development Corporation
rabbitts@stlouis-mo.gov
