Grant to be used to reduce the city’s ‘digital divide’

The City of St. Petersburg has been recommended to receive a $6.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration to address digital equity gaps in the community. As the sole municipality in Florida to be awarded this funding, the City will use the grant to mitigate digital access barriers and promote inclusive progress for all residents.

Digital inclusion, as a concept, refers to the process of providing access to digital technology and the education required for everyone, regardless of their background, identity or neighborhood, to use it successfully.

The four-year grant, set to begin June 1, will be implemented through a collaborative effort between the City’s Office of Equity and several community partners, including the Digital Inclusion Network of Greater St. Petersburg, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, St. Pete Innovation District and Pinellas Education Foundation.

Veatrice Farrell, Director of the Digital Inclusion Network, emphasized the importance of digital literacy in today’s society.

“Digital literacy is a way to improve people’s economic situation. The world is moving more digital, and not having a device, not knowing how to use it or not having internet at home impedes your ability to learn, earn and be healthy,” Farrell said.

“This award advances our focus on innovation and equity and will allow us to bridge the digital divide in St. Pete by providing critical e-resources, training, and quality internet access for underserved communities,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch in a prepared statement.  “With this support, St. Pete is one step closer to ensuring inclusive progress for all residents, empowering them to thrive in today’s connected world.”

According to the Regional Competitiveness Report, fewer than 84% of households in the eight-county Tampa Bay area have a computer with high-speed internet. Meanwhile, research shows 92% of jobs in the U.S. require some level of digital skills. The “digital divide” has also been proven to limit people’s access to education, healthcare information and social connections.

Closing the digital divide is something Farrell and the dozens of partner organizations involved in the Digital Inclusion Network of Greater St. Petersburg have been working toward since its inception in 2023. The Digital Inclusion Network works with nonprofits of all sizes to help its clients access devices and resources, including building community computer labs and distributing devices to those who need them. In 2024, the network distributed 130 devices in St. Pete.

“This grant will help us turbocharge the work we’re already doing because we’ll have more resources,” Farrell said.

Through this funding, the City of St. Petersburg will address barriers like limited digital literacy, unaffordable broadband service and limited access to or ownership of digital services. City leaders plan to solve these issues by distributing devices and hot spots/home internet equipment, and providing digital literacy skills and cybersecurity/privacy training.

Farrell noted that one of the key strategies in implementing the grant will be leveraging community partnerships to ensure integration with existing initiatives: “We don’t consider ourselves standalone. We want to be an integral part of other people’s programs.” This approach is meant to create a sustainable system that can continue to address digital equity issues even beyond the grant period.

The total award amount is subject to change, pending final review and processing of the award.

Ashley Morales is a member of the Digital Inclusion Network of Greater St. Petersburg Leadership Council.