Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

I am currently in the process of working with local high-speed Internet providers and the Office of Cable Communications to develop a “Project Share” program to help low-income residents receive access to affordable high-speed Internet service. For example and to use Comcast as an example, I want to explore the possibility of soliciting from customers a small voluntary donation that can be used to help those who are unable to obtain Internet access. I have previously written about how Internet access is a potential gateway relative to education, job opportunities, training, networking and economic growth.

I will request the Department of Information Technology via a Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) during this year’s budget to report back to Council next year on the implementation of this new program.

Through Seattle City Light’s project share program, thousands of people in Seattle benefited from donations from generous Seattleites. While Seattle is ranked the most wired City in America in terms of broadband adoption, access options, and Wi-fi hotspots, we must continue our work to address the disparity in technology adoption. A 24% gap exists in terms of having hi-speed Internet access when comparing households making under $30,000 and households with income above $40,000. It is critical that we help parents provide high-speed Internet access to their children. When I read studies reporting that people who understand how to use a computer with Internet and e-mail averaging $100 more per week in earnings when compared to someone doing the same job without a computer, it is evident that we must work harder to help close the disparity in technology access for low-income households. I will share more data regarding the digital disparity and what we can do to close the gap. Stay tune for more information on this program and the upcoming budget action.