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ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO ACCEPT A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $131,000 TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WIFI INITIATIVE TO EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.
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WHEREAS, the City of New Haven, through its Department of Information Technology (IT), is committed to promoting digital equity and ensuring all residents have access to reliable internet service; and
WHEREAS, access to the internet is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement, and the lack of such access disproportionately affects underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, the IT Department has developed a Community WiFi Initiative to expand public wireless internet access in key areas of the city, including public spaces and community centers; and
WHEREAS, the initiative will help bridge the digital divide by providing free, reliable internet access to residents who currently lack affordable connectivity options; and
WHEREAS, the City has been awarded a grant in the amount of $131,000 to support this initiative, which will fund infrastructure upgrades, equipment installation, and ongoing maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of community WiFi aligns with the City’s broader goals of digital inclusion, economic opportunity, and equitable access to technology; and
WHEREAS, the IT Department is prepared to implement the project immediately upon approval to ensure timely delivery of services to the community.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED that the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven supports the Community WiFi Initiative as a critical investment in the city’s digital infrastructure and equity goals; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven authorizes the Mayor of the City of New Haven to accept the grant in the amount of $131,000, on behalf of the Department of Information Technology to implement the Community WiFi Initiative, and to execute any revisions, amendments or modifications to said grant agreement, and to sign any associated state agreements, any of which may have a term of longer than one year and that may include indemnification provisions, that the Mayor deems desirable or necessary, including any subsequent amendments to agreements, in order to accept grant funding and carry out the associated grant program activities.