RESOLUTION NO. 220908
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Sponsor: Councilperson Parks-Shaw
Declaring October 3-7, 2022, as Digital Inclusion week in Kansas City.
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WHEREAS, broadband and digital infrastructure are critical components for every community in the twenty-first century in order for our residents to pursue economic opportunity, connect with one another, access critical services like health care and education, and participate in digital life; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, along with the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County, established KC Digital Drive ten years ago as a regional non-profit organization with a mission to make Kansas City a digital leader, building capacity for innovation and inclusion in digital transformation; and
WHEREAS, the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion has 69 local businesses and community organizations as members, has set a national example for local Coalition work as one of the first digital inclusion coalitions in the country, and is led by a steering council that includes KC Digital Drive, the KC Public Library, PCs for People, and UrbanTEC; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the difficulties experienced by individuals and households who are disconnected from broadband and digital infrastructure and galvanized the community to increase its commitment to internet access and affordability, access to computers, and digital skills training; and
WHEREAS, the City has invested COVID-relief dollars in the Digital KC Now initiative with aSTEAM Village in order to address access gaps in the 3rd District and build critical workforce skills and build a community of knowledgeable workers; and
WHEREAS, the City is working to assess its 2017 Digital Equity Strategic Plan and support a regional broadband, connectivity, and digital equity strategy with the support of KC Digital Drive; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby declare October 3-7, 2022, as Digital Inclusion Week in Kansas City;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to KC Digital Drive with the Mayor and Council urging the people of Kansas City to join in raising awareness of digital equity and broadband access issues and doing all we can to bridge the digital divide and expand our culture of innovation and digital transformation in an equitable manner.
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