CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the awarding of a $34,375 technology grant through his Opportunity Returns program that will allow hundreds of Quincy residents to receive critical training in technology literacy.  The grant program, known as Eliminate the Digital Divide, provides funding to local community technology centers in low-income communities to provide technology skills training and access to computers and the Internet.  Since technology literacy today is a necessity to competing for and succeeding in well-paying jobs, this program teaches essential skills to people whom often lack access to important educational opportunities that will help prepare them for a 21st Century job.

“Expanding access to the Internet and technology goes hand-in-hand with giving children and working people all across Illinois the chance to learn more and get ahead.  The grant we're announcing today will give these dedicated Quincy organizations the opportunity to help hundreds of people do better in school or in their jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.      

The Regional Office of Education in Quincy is using the $34,375 grant to provide public computer access to approximately 300 students and 150 adults, located within the Washington and Irving Elementary Schools Boundaries.  The Adams/Pike Regional Office of Education, a state educational not-for-profit agency, is partnering with the Quincy Neighborhood Federation to operate the community technology center where the training is provided.  Instruction is focusing on basic computer skills for an underserved adult population and a second tier of instruction involving multimedia projects for those with more experience.  Contact Info: Lorraine Steinberg, (217) 277-2083

“Technology literacy becomes more essential in our society every day.  Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that by increasing access to the Internet and computer skills training, we increase access to economic opportunity.   This grant is a tremendous resource for our community,” said State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville).

In addition to providing basic skills training needed to access and utilize computers and the Internet, a variety of technology access activities can be provided by the grant recipient including:

Vocational skills training related to information technology occupations;

Access to career information, employment opportunities, and related Internet job searches;

Computerized instruction in basic literacy skills, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language instruction, including distance-learning options;  

Professional development opportunities related to technology for teachers;

Computer based before and after school programs for academic enrichment and reinforcement; and

Promotion of home access to computers.

“Education programs like these are really the building blocks to creating a more highly skilled and diversified workforce that provide businesses with the essential resources they need to thrive.  Gov. Blagojevich’s innovative program is opening doors to a vast number of career paths, expanding individual economic opportunity and strengthening the economic portfolio of the entire region,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.                  

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.