DigitalC’s journey from Cleveland to Detroit showcases how a community-rooted approach can close the digital divide at scale. Backed initially by a $2.7M NSF Project OVERCOME grant via US Ignite, DigitalC piloted private LTE service and digital literacy programs in Cleveland, proving that locally led solutions could work. This success secured $20M in philanthropic funding to launch Canopy in January 2024, offering 100 Mbps symmetrical internet for just $18/month and connecting over 5,400 households while providing 11,000+ residents with digital skills training through Click. Now, the model is being replicated in Detroit with Canopy, Powered by Connect313, delivering free high-speed internet to 450 families in Detroit Housing Commission communities through partnerships with the Rocket Community Fund and Microsoft’s Airband Initiative—serving as a potential blueprint for nationwide digital inclusion.
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