Mayor Walsh Announces Syracuse Named Digital Inclusion Trailblazer
Published on December 19, 2023
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced Syracuse was named a 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) for its efforts to close the digital divide. The distinction recognizes Syracuse’s commitment to digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices and digital skills training.
“Without closing the digital divide, we can’t achieve our Syracuse Surge mission of inclusive growth in the New Economy,” said Mayor Walsh. “It is Syracuse’s vision to be a growing city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all, and this distinction is evidence of our efforts to make that vision a reality.”
Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Syracuse achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:
- Allocating dedicated staff and funding resources to digital inclusion programs and services;
- Implementing Surge LinkTM, a pilot program to provide free broadband internet access to 2,500 households in the city of Syracuse;
- Collaborating with our community centers to establish the Digital Empowerment Program, which provides digital literacy training and technical assistance to Syracuse residents across the city;
- Enabling residents to obtain free or low-cost laptops or tablets through participation in the Digital Empowerment Program or Surge LinkTM;
- Employing data to inform digital equity policies.
“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers exemplify the key role local governments have in building connected communities for all of their residents.”
NDIA revised the seven-year-old Trailblazer program this year, identifying seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.
Syracuse joins 47 total awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the United States. Syracuse is the only New York municipality to be recognized.
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About National Digital Inclusion Alliance
NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,500 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.