Mayor Don Walters is proud to announce that the City of Cuyahoga Falls in partnership with Building for Tomorrow’s (BFT) ConnectHome Digital Inclusion Project, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), and Woodridge Local Schools are helping to bridge the digital divide by providing WiFi-enabled devices and by bringing no cost, quality internet service to underserved communities in Cuyahoga Falls. This collaborative effort will impact 139 children and 590 adults living in 322 units at the Ray C. Sutliff Building, Honey Locust Apartments, and Lobello Lane Apartments.
This project is part of an ongoing AMHA WiFi Zone Project Initiative in Summit County that has successfully worked to tackle the digital divide. This project will allow for the installation of professional-grade infrastructure through wireless mesh networks for high-speed internet access and accounts for hardware, electrical, and cabling upgrades. In addition, purchases will be made for WiFi-enabled devices for residents at the Ray C. Sutliff Building and students at Honey Locust and Lobello Lane.
“On behalf of AMHA, I am grateful for our partnership with the City of Cuyahoga Falls and Woodridge Local Schools. We are excited for the opportunity to provide our residents with resources needed to promote education, self-sufficiency, and individual growth,” said Herman Hill, AMHA Executive Director.
The total estimated cost of the collaborative project is $162,958, with the City portion of $86,833 funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
“We are proud to provide CDBG funding toward this project to ensure sustainable and long-term access to quality internet that sets up students and families for success in our community,” stated Mayor Don Walters. “Through this partnership, we can meet the current pressing needs of our community today and for years to come.”
“We believe that access to the internet and digital literacy is crucial for our students and families; therefore, we are committed to supporting ongoing efforts that promote safe internet usage at no cost for families,” stated N’ecole Ast, Assistant Superintendent of Woodridge Local Schools. “We are excited to partner with the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority on this project to support ongoing efforts in technology for education.”