MHCRC Partners with Comcast to Announce $2 Million Investment to Bridge the Digital Divide in Multnomah County

In an effort to combat the persistent digital divide in Multnomah County, the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) and Comcast have announced their second major partnership to invest $2 million toward digital-equity initiatives. This contribution includes $1 million in funding to Free Geek, a leading nonprofit committed to advancing economic equity through technology access and training, and additional investments to expand Comcast's Lift Zones, which provide free Wi-Fi in community spaces.

The digital divide remains a critical issue in Multnomah County, where a significant portion of residents - including 18% of households earning less than $30,000 annually, 28% of seniors aged 65 or older, and 30% of Hispanic households - still do not have broadband internet access at home. This disparity prevents many individuals and families from fully participating in education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and civic engagement.

Thanks to this new investment, Free Geek was able to purchase over 3,700 discounted laptops from Dell for distribution to some of our community members with the greatest need, ensuring that families have the devices and digital skills they need to succeed. At the announcement event, Free Geek distributed an initial 500 Dell laptops to families who had been waiting for new devices.

Bridging the Digital Divide with MHCRC

At the heart of this initiative is MHCRC's ongoing commitment to improving digital access through partnerships between public and private organizations. By leveraging its cable franchise agreementswith Comcast, MHCRC has consistently played a vital role in funding local digital-equity efforts. This investment builds on MHCRC and Comcast's prior collaboration in 2023, which also contributed $2 million to Free Geek's initiatives.

Julia DeGraw, MHCRC Chair and Portland Representative, emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, "MHCRC is proud of the role we get to play in ongoing public and private partnerships in our city and county. Without the cable franchise agreements with Comcast, none of this would be possible. These opportunities provide substantive digital access, and we are confident that Free Geek is a dedicated partner with a community-centric approach to bridging the digital divide."

Private, Public and Non-Profit Partnerships

As part of this initiative, Comcast will also expand its network of Lift Zones, which offer free Wi-Fi and access to digital resources in community centers across Multnomah County. With 23 Lift Zones already established in Oregon, Comcast's continued investment will help provide crucial internet access and technology tools to students, families, veterans, and others.

Free Geek: Expanding Access and Training for Multnomah County Residents

Since last year's initial $2 million investment, Free Geek has made tremendous strides in advancing digital access and skills training. Some of Free Geek's key accomplishments include: