St. Louis, Mo., is using Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to install free WiFi in nine city parks.
“Internet access is a vital public utility,” said Mayor Tishaura Jones. “As we continue to focus on bridging the digital divide, easily accessible WiFi in our parks will help St. Louis residents to stay connected.”
The mayor said her office is working with the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), which is the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis, to install the WiFi.
As part of its digital equity efforts, SLDC is investing $5 million of its ARPA allocation to create digital literacy programs and increase high-speed internet access.
“Investing in digital equity programs like community WiFi enables residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in the 21st-century economy,” said SLDC President and CEO Neal Richardson. “Bridging the digital divide is one of the core initiatives of the Economic Empowerment pillar of the Economic Justice Action Plan, and broadening access to Wi-Fi in public places like selected city parks will give residents another location to connect to the internet.”
Last year, a study found that there are tens of thousands of families in St. Louis who cannot access high-speed broadband and internet-enabled devices in their own homes due to cost. The report found that 150,000 households in the city “struggle to afford” high-speed broadband, and at least 25 percent of households “do not have a computer, or only have a smartphone.”
“Community WiFi leverages city assets to increase internet access for our residents closer to where they live,” said Simon Huang, St. Louis City Chief Technology Officer. “Our goal is to ensure every resident has the opportunity to connect, learn and thrive in our increasingly digital society.”
