City of Portland receives Conference of Mayor’s 2024 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge Grant for $250,000

Portland, Ore.- Portlanders now have more opportunities to bridge the digital divide after the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's (BPS) Community Technology team was announced as a recipient of the United States Conference of Mayors' 2024 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge Grantworth $250,000. The successful application was submitted with the partnership and support of Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Rubio, and community partner NTEN. The ten competitive grants awarded by the Conference of Mayors in partnership with Comcast are aimed at enhancing local workforce and career readiness initiatives in cities across the country. Each grant is designed to foster digital access, improve economic mobility, and promote digital skills and creativity within underserved communities.

"I am honored to be supporting yet another great example of a successful community partnership. These types of relationships are pivotal to bridging the digital divide not only in Portland, but statewide as well," said Commissioner Rubio. "NTEN's background in fellowship work will help the Digital Equity Service Corps hit the ground running. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on Portlanders."

Community partnerships make Portland strong

Portland was competitive in this process because of the City's already established relationship with NTEN and their extensive work and experience with fellowship programming. Funding from the grant will help NTEN create the Digital Equity Service Corps (DESC) to focus on supporting Digital Inclusion Fellows who are community leaders embedded in trusted local organizations. These fellows play a vital role in delivering culturally tailored workforce development programs and digital skills training to community members with the ultimate goal of fostering and strengthening community partnerships and to increase involvement in digital-equity work. NTEN will employ equity-rooted criteria when making fellowship selection.

A legacy of leadership

Support from City Council was crucial to winning this grant. Portland's continued investment in digitalequity initiatives under the leadership of Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Rubio have made Portland a nationally recognized leader in digital-equity forums; most recently receiving the NDIA Visionary Digital Equity Trailblazer award.

"This grant marks a significant step towards narrowing the digital-adoption gap in Portland. The pivotal support from the United States Conference of Mayors will help equip our community with essential digital skills and foster inclusivity in our rapidly evolving digital economy," said Mayor Ted Wheeler. "Thanks to BPS's partnership with NTEN and support from Commissioner Rubio, we are poised to lead on national digital equity efforts."

Digital equity in Portland

For more information on digital-equity initiatives in the city of Portland, please visit the BPS website: https://www.portland.gov/bps/com-tech. For more information on the DESC, please visit the NTEN website: https://www.nten.org.

About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS)develops creative and practical solutions to enhance Portland's livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. BPS oversees a world-renowned waste and recycling systemand leads the country in its commitment to digital equity, open data, and protecting communities in the application of technologies. Staff collaborate with partners on neighborhood, economic, historic, and environmental planningand provide research, policy, and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy,as well as policies and actions toaddress climate change. The bureau also oversees the innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund(PCEF).