Comcast is teaming up with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and other prominent Minnesota organizations to help fight the digital divide across the state through a public-private partnership supporting the technology needs of Minnesota students.
Partnership for a ConnectedMN will provide technology devices and internet access to youth from dis-invested communities across Minnesota, both urban and rural. As one of five founding organizations, Comcast has committed $250,000 of in-kind support for PSA production and airtime, as well as 5,000 new Internet Essentials connections across our Twin Cities service area.
“It is vital that all Americans are connected to the internet—for education, for work, and for personal health reasons, but unfortunately, many low-income families who live in our service areas don’t have internet at home and that’s where we can help,” said J.D. Keller, regional senior vice president, Comcast Twin Cities. “We are proud to be a founding partner of ConnectedMN knowing we can help through our Internet Essentials program, which is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program for low-income Americans.”
The other founding members of ConnectedMN include Best Buy, Blandin Foundation, Minnesota Business Partnership and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. To date, $1.65 million has been raised to provide families and students with the technology and tools required for school and other critical services like telehealth. In the coming months, ConnectedMN will deliver tech devices and internet connection to at least 25,000 students statewide.
“I’m grateful to see Minnesota companies step up and help meet the needs of students,” said Gov. Walz. “We need to work together — as individuals, state agencies, private companies, and schools — to face the opportunity gap and make sure that Minnesota is the best state for each and every child to grow up and receive the best education possible.”
Click HERE to read the full press release from Gov. Walz’ office. To learn more about ConnectedMN, go to https://www.spmcf.org/connected-mn.