Narrowing the Digital Divide

Meriden, CT is one of 28 communities across the country selected to be part of the White House initiative ConnectHome (http://connecthome.hud.gov/). The goals of ConnectHome are to expand high speed broadband to low-income families living in HUD-assisted housing and provide affordable internet in their own homes. Meriden held its first ConnectHome on October 15, 2015 at the Meriden Public Library.

The meeting included partners from HUD, state and city officials, nonprofit organizations, internet service providers, software businesses and two high school students. Five breakout working groups were formed in the areas of education, social media, employment, health and IT infrastructure, with emphasis on how to design a plan and implement a project.

The library provided a tour and highlighted the high demand of desktop and wireless users with an average of 800 users per day. According to the President's Council of Economic Advisers, "nearly two-thirds of households in the lowest-income quintile own a computer; less than half have a home internet subscription."

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