The ConnectUS Digital Skills Hub was launched by Smart Columbus last year with the intention of bringing digital literacy education and devices to 10,000 residents by the end of 2027. Building on a pilot first launched in 2022, the program is managed by Smart Columbus but using regional partners to expand bandwidth and tailor offerings.Many of my favorite examples in this series share a willingness to name the scope of a problem out loud – in this case, highlighting the fact that 80,000 households in the area had no internet access in 2025, and many more have no devices other than cell phones.
I think we all know Columbus is not unique in this regard, and that tackling the issue of Digital Equality is critical to economic inclusion and equality. Congratulations to Columbus for moving beyond loving the problem.
For more on this initiative and their work in Health and Human Services, and Transportation programming, visit Smart Columbus.