Broadband Adoption | Detroit, Michigan

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Once a center for music production and automotive engineering, the City of Detroit has spent the last 10 years recovering from decades of depopulation, systemic divestment, and underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure. Six years after it declared financial bankruptcy, municipal leaders, public school officials, and grassroots activists are all working to develop programs that will improve internet access and facilitate adoption for all residents. Detroit should continue to consult with local nonprofits to support neighborhood-based digital ambassador programs.

  • Conducting a survey of small business owners, organizations, and community leaders could help municipal leaders understand the structural connectivity barriers and develop effective ways to communicate with largely disconnected communities
  • Much like other cities, public libraries are instrumental in workforce development for residents who lack affordable and reliable broadband
  • Detroit public schools and libraries should collaborate on ways to access state and federal resources

Broadband Adoption | Detroit, Michigan