Post From Community: United Way of Greater Milwaukee Waukesha County Announces Next Step in Milwaukee Broadband Partnership | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dan Herda
May 20, 2022
– United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County announced today the release of a request for proposal (RFP) to commission a Broadband Feasibility Study. The study will be focused on the feasibility of providing alternative broadband solutions to priority areas and provide a set of potential solutions and recommendations for possible private and public sector collaborations.
The cornerstone of this work is United Way’s Techquity initiative. Techquity looks to ensure digital equity and inclusion for every resident in our community.
United Way leads the Milwaukee Broadband Partnership, convening members of Greater Milwaukee’s governmental, commercial, healthcare, civic, and philanthropic sectors. Together, the partnership is building a multi-modal approach to align new and existing internet providers into a comprehensive network focused on equity, accessibility, and affordability for metro Milwaukee residents.
According to data from the 2019 US Census Bureau, at least 25% of Milwaukee residents do not have broadband access in their home. Existing broadband services are unevenly distributed, uncoordinated with community assets, and prohibitively expensive for low-income communities. Broadband has become a key discussion topic since COVID-19, as many have turned to online resources for schooling, job searches, and healthcare needs. The partnership’s objective is to achieve universal and equitable access to affordable, high-speed internet throughout Milwaukee.
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The partnership seeks to leverage local philanthropic and government resources with federal investments to transform the region and provide a national model for how other cities can bridge the digital divide.
Visit https://unitedwaygmwc.org/Techquity for more information on Techquity and details on how to apply as a prospective vendor for the Greater Milwaukee Broadband Feasibility Study.
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Learn more at: http://www.unitedwayGMWC.org