Pilot Project Description

DRAFT: February 23, 2007

Mayor Tom Barrett and Rep. Jason Fields (11th Dist.) have requested a pilot project for digital inclusion in order to initiate some of the functions and processes of a citywide digital inclusion program.  Digital inclusion is the process of bringing the benefits of technology to underserved communities, in order to improve their access to information that will help them be successful.  The pilot's objective is to successfully implement two small-scale projects that will help us to understand what will be needed to bring a citywide digital inclusion program to fruition.

Two pilot areas have been selected, one on the north side – Berryland Housing Development; and one on the south side – Weed & Seed Historic Clarke Square.  A total of 500 families will be targeted to receive equipment and services to help them gain productive access to Internet-based information resources in their homes.

Households in the two areas will be invited to participate through neighborhood community center partners, who would also provide training and support.  Participating households may or may not already have computers.  They must, however, have a phone line in order to get the DSL service that is being offered.

This project will be coordinated and assisted by the following partners:

• City of Milwaukee Department of Administration will provide overall project coordination and direction for the Mayor and Common Council.
• One Economy Corporation of Washington, D.C. will provide planning and assistance for setting up the pilot project, as well as building a Milwaukee "Beehive" web site to support information needs of participating households.
• AT&T, through its "Access All" initiative, will provide 500 free DSL accounts with two-years of access for participating households in the project pilot.
• Neighborhood community centers in each area will be invited to participate from a training and support perspective.
• Not yet identified are sources of computers, either new or refurbished, for the target households in the pilot areas.

Estimated costs are as follows: