Investing Locally To Drive Impact Nationally

At Comcast, we have worked for decades to expand the power that tapping into digital opportunities provide for communities that are most under resourced. Through the years, we have seen results that we are incredibly proud of – millions have been connected, learned new skillsets, and leveraged opportunities. However, research, news, and our own experiences continue to make clear that while digital inequity remains a pressing issue, there are numerous promising community-centered pathways that can accelerate progress for tens of thousands of households.

Last year, building on our longstanding work to close the digital divide, we launched Project UP, our comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity. Essential to this work are our partnerships with local, frontline community partners. By investing in partners who are trusted leaders and advocates with credibility and close relationships on the ground, we can work together to achieve real results and solve inequities.

This proximity-driven strategy was on full display at one of my recent trips to Tacoma, Washington. Together with Mayor Victoria Woodards, Comcast announced its investment of $300,000 to support the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, Thrive Tacoma Business Fund, and Team Wrk in the South Puget Sound region by increasing broadband adoption for those who are still not connected; helping small businesses access the digital skills needed to grow; and ensuring students receive critical learning and development resources. Combined, our programs are targeted at closing the digital skills and access gap, and building comprehensive, inclusive digital equity.

In Tacoma, and in cities and regions across the country, innovative municipal and community-based leadership are collectively helping to incrementally close the digital divide nationwide.

I’m incredibly proud to work with leaders like Mayor Woodards, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound President and CEO Carrie Holden, and Goodwill of the Olympic & Rainier Region President and CEO Lori Forte Harnick. I consider each of them visionary partners – and friends who all share a real commitment to making an impact.

Strong ties between the public, private, and non-profit sectors are essential to addressing barriers to Internet adoption and creating more equitable pathways to economic opportunity. This is one of many great examples and there is much more ahead as we continue to look to our local leaders who are advancing important initiatives, and to local voices who can help us connect with their communities. Together, we will continue to help create a future of unlimited possibilities.