‘Eliminate the Digital Divide’ Grants Will Prepare People to Succeed in Today’s High-Tech World

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced today nearly $370,000 in technology grants to help prepare hundreds of people across Southwest Illinois for the 21st Century economy.  These grants through the Eliminate the Digital Divide program fund technology centers in low-income communities to provide technology skills, training and access to computers and the Internet.  This program provides critical skills training that people need to succeed in today's high-tech workplace.

“Expanding access to the Internet and technology goes hand-in-hand with giving children and working people all across Southwest Illinois the chance to learn more and get ahead.  This investment will give dedicated local organizations the opportunity to help hundreds of people to do better in school or on their jobs so they can build better lives,” Gov. Blagojevich said.      

Grantee Name/Contact	Location	Amount
Alton Success Academy/Kristine Baumgartner (618/474.2600)	Alton	$38,000
Lewis and Clark Community College/Lori Artis (618/468.3220)	Alton	$44,121
Young Women’s Christian Association/Jonathan Becker (618/465.7774)	Alton	$36,500
Southwestern Illinois College PSOP SeniorLink/Sharon Hamilton (618/234.4410)	Belleville	$41,100
East Alton Parks & Recreation/Staci Silkwood (618/259-7411)	East Alton	$32,505
Alpha Omega Productions/Brenda Hicks (618/875.7895)	East St. Louis	$35,268
Christian Activity Center, Inc/Cyra Lohman (618/874.5615)	East St. Louis	$40,000
East St. Louis Community College Center/Jack Hill (618/942.6902)	East St. Louis	$26,510
Lessie Bates David Neighborhood House/William Kreeb (618/874.0777)	East St. Louis	$43,400
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc./James Buford (618/274.1150)	East St. Louis	$31,704

“In today’s world, technology literacy is essential to succeeding academically and professionally.  Increasing access to this fundamental education will strengthen the caliber of our future workforce and expand opportunity to more people in our communities.  Gov. Blagojevich continues to deliver the resources that are so essential to fulfilling the great promise of our region,” said State Senator James Clayborne (D-East St. Louis).

“Without proficiency in basic computer skills, our workers will not be prepared to meet the demands of the 21st Century economy.  Thanks to these grants from Gov. Blagojevich, hundreds of local residents will have easy access to these vital skills and, in turn, higher-quality job opportunities,” said State Senator William Haine (D-Alton).  

“To meet the demands of today’s workplace, students and adults need to have access to the Internet and use basic computer skills.  In many economic environments, the resources that are needed to teach these skills simply aren’t available.  The Eliminate the Digital Divide program is bringing these resources into the heart of the communities that need them the most,” State Representative Dan Beiser (D-Alton) said.

“These grants will impact the lives of many people of different ages and populations across the region.  They are fundamental to creating a brighter future and real economic opportunity.  Gov. Blagojevich has again had the foresight to provide the critical resources to build future leaders and a highly-skilled workforce,” State Representative Thomas Holbrook (D-Belleville) said.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that education is the cornerstone of economic opportunity.  The Eliminate the Digital Divide program is providing low-income residents in our community with an education in technology literacy that is absolutely essential in today’s society.  This program is a tremendous community resource that acts as a critical building block to a brighter economic future in East St. Louis,” State Representative Wyvetter Younge (D-East St. Louis) said.
 
In addition to providing basic technology skills training, grant recipients can provide a variety of technology-related services, including:

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

Before and after-school technology programs for students

“As computers and the Internet continue to assume a more dominant role in education, business and society, those who do not have access to this technology nor the skills needed to use them are at an even greater disadvantage than ever before.  Through Gov. Blagojevich’s support, the Eliminate the Digital Divide program is making tremendous strides in bridging this technology divide and is playing a vital role in building a more highly-skilled workforce that will spur greater growth and prosperity throughout the 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.