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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Battle for Digital Inclusion Internet access can be a powerful tool to improve individuals' economic prospects. To succeed, broadband adoption programs must meet people on their own terms. By Michael Liimatta / Connecting for Good Editor's Note: Based in Kansas City, Mo., Connecting for Good operates a variety of programs to overcome the digital divide. In addition to delivering free or low-cost wireless broadband to about 500 families, it refurbishes PCs, sells them at low cost to low-income individuals and trains the recipients to use them. It also helps low-income neighborhoods in Kansas City qualify as Google "fberhoods," promotes the construction of public-access computing centers (virtual libraries) and encourages the strategic placement of wireless hot spots. "We try to help people connect in the most logical and economical way possible," says Michael Liimatta, president and co-founder of Connecting for Good. In 2013, more than 1,000 people were trained in its free basic digital life skills class. Following is Liimatta's refection on the organization's frst year of operation. I n August, Connecting for Good marked its frst year as a recognized nonproft organization. Recently, Jim Lynch of TechSoup spoke at the luncheon where the Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund was announced. He made one statement that particularly stood out: "Te digital divide is a tough nut to crack, and I'm not sure anyone has fgured out how to do that yet." Tere's a lot of truth in his statement. After fghting a year's worth of battles on the front lines of digital inclusion, we've learned a few things that can help us make real progress in closing the digital divide. 1. Low-income and under-resourced people want to get online! Some surveys suggest that most people who aren't online simply don't see the value of being online. Our experience since we set up shop in one of Kansas City's toughest neighborhoods does not seem to bear this out. To the contrary, we have experienced a food of people wanting to learn how to use the Internet. Honestly, we don't have enough staf and volunteers to keep up with the NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 | demand, though we are conducting as many as eight basic introductory classes a week. Tink about it: Where does a low-income, 50-year-old black male go to learn how to use the Internet? He may know perfectly well that he should "go digital," but where can he fnd such help? Free, neighborhoodbased training is the only solution. 2. No one can close the digital divide digitally. No matter how much money is spent trying to close the digital divide online, in the end that may prove to be the most expensive and least productive way to go about it. Google Fiber found that out last year when a big chunk of Kansas City's urban core nearly missed qualifying for installation of its gigabit fber service. Tis company is among the most elite in online advertising and promotions. But in the end, in order to avoid leaving out the most needy neighborhoods, it had to send out foot soldiers to recruit subscribers in person. 3. The digital divide is not going to be closed through a high-level marketing campaign. Te reason is simple: All the www.broadbandcommunities.com | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | 91