'Eliminate the Digital Divide’ Grants Will Prepare Workers for Better Jobs

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the awarding of more than $63,000 in innovative technology grants through his Opportunity Returns program that will allow hundreds of Northwest region 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 grants we're announcing today will give dedicated local organizations in Kewanee and Rock Island the opportunity to help hundreds of people do better in school or in their jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.    

The more than $63,000 in grant funding will go to two community technology centers across the Northwest region.   Those grant recipients are:

Grantee Name/Contact                                           Amount                        Location
Abilities Plus                                                         $25,000                        Kewanee
Mike Zerull (309) 852-4626 x104

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center    $38,555                        Rock Island
Gerald Jones (309) 732-2999                        

“Expanding economic opportunity begins with giving communities the critical tools they need to further their education and pursue better jobs.  Gov. Blagojevich understands that the Internet is a tremendous vehicle to accessing these tools, and these Eliminate the Digital Divide grants will allow hundreds of residents to get on the information superhighway,” said State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline).

“Expanding accessibility to the Internet and essential computer skills will play an enormous role in allowing our citizens to realize their limitless individual potential and this region to realize its profound economic potential. Gov. Blagojevich continues to take a comprehensive approach to economic development that is helping us do just that,” said State Representative Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island).

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.

“Access to the Internet and basic computer skills is really imperative to fostering economic growth and a better standard of living in low-income communities.  These community technology centers make these critical resources available in a convenient forum to people of all ages who want to improve their skills and position themselves for a brighter economic future.  When we talk about taking a grassroots approach to economic development, this is what we mean,” 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.