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D.C. Looks To Close Digital Divide

December 10, 2009
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By Patrick Madden

The District is trying to close the so-called 'digital divide' between residents who have access to high speed internet and those who don't.

The city's new chief technology officer says he wants to use federal stimulus money to open as many as 70 public computer stations around the city.

Bryan Sivak says residents will be able to use computers with free wi-fi. There will be training programs as well, which, Sivak hopes, will help reduce D.C.'s double-digit unemployment.

"If you think about digital divide, the real key thing is that we not only provide access, and training, but those things actually translate into opportunities," says Sivak.

Sivak is still waiting to hear from the federal government about the $1.6 million stimulus grant. But the former IT executive is confident. He says the city submitted a "stellar" application.

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