ST. LOUIS – Access to the internet is essential, as most every aspect of our daily lives depends on connecting to internet-based resources. A digital divide refers to the gap between people who have access to online resources and those who do not.

In the City of St. Louis, a #ConnectSTL coalition was formed to create a plan of action to bridge the digital divides for families, children, and individuals who do not have immediate access to the internet.

The #ConnectSTL Digital Inclusion Coalition consists of over 40 member organizations, including nonprofits, corporate partners, and community members, along with sponsors like Verizon and World Wide Technology, who meet in person to align and coordinate the City of St. Louis digital inclusion efforts.  The goal is to focus on unity, collaboration, and empowerment.

Simon Huang is the Chief Technology Officer for the Office of the Mayor, City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). He says, “One of Mayor Jones’s platform priorities was addressing the digital divide. In her vision of Saint Louis, she wants to make it a place where everybody has the opportunity to succeed. Having access to the Internet and online resources is one way to give people the opportunity to do something with their lives or afford more opportunity for them to succeed in Saint Louis.”

#ConnectSTL was made possible with $5 million in ARPA funds allocated by the City of St. Louis and SLDC toward digital equity.

“In 2023, we spent the better part of the year working on our digital inclusion action plan. And the three major goals of the plan were to empower the stakeholders in the region, in the ecosystem, to collaborate effectively using data. Number two was to address, in an equitable manner, access to the Internet and devices. And the third was to ensure that people had the training to effectively use these resources. So what we call digital literacy and to announce the plan, the digital inclusion action plan, and the support, the investments that the city and CDC made towards solving the digital divide.”

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

To guide the efforts, SLDC convened the #ConnectSTL Coalition with the goal of providing space for collaboration and turning ideas into action.

Sheila Rabbitt is the Broadband Analyst for the SLDC. She says, “Our aim for the Connect STL Coalition is for unity, empowerment and collaboration. Our hope is that the Connect STL Coalition can accomplish more together than each of us individually.”

Rabbitt says there are a few locations beyond the St. Louis Public Libraries where residents can use a computer. Therefore, residents will start seeing learning labs at select recreation centers throughout the city.

“The recreation centers that are identified that will have the learning labs will be Marquette, Wohl, Tandy and 12th and Park,” she says. Verizon is one of the sponsors of the #ConnectSTL Coalition.

Mario Acosta Velez is the Senior Director of Local Engagement, and Corporate Social Responsibility. He says, “I can say that we all know how critical digital literacy and inclusion is to this day and age. It’s something at Verizon we understand deeply.  You will see how we have prioritized enhancing digital inclusion and resources in the community that we serve across the country, especially in St. Louis, as well as part of our local engagement.”

The desired state in the City of St. Louis means all individuals can have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in society and the economy.

This is what Positively St. Louis looks like. To learn more about #ConnectSTL Coalition, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.