DigitalC receives $20 million to help bridge the digital divide

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation and David and Inez Myers Foundation are donating $20 million to DigitalC, a non-profit internet service provider (ISP) focused on bridging the digital divide in Cleveland, Ohio. The foundations feel that DigitalC provides the best avenue toward connecting Cleveland, according to Jim Kenny, spokesperson for the nonprofit ISP; DigitalC also says the foundations’ money serves as a challenge to organizations in the private sector and government to also contribute. Just under 1,100 Cleveland residents currently receive internet services from DigitalC. Cleveland has about 170,000 households, and the non-profit ISP will design their network to cover 130,000, CEO Dorothy Baunach stated. DigitalC would need $60 million to cover most of the city, along with helping people get online and adopting devices. Teaching digital literacy would also be necessary, and DigitalC is ready to help people find educational and telehealth services among others. They expect the project to ideally finish by the end of 2022.