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Commission committee backs $100,000 state grant and Innovate Memphis contract for digital-equity tablets
Summary
The Budget & Finance Committee approved acceptance of a $100,000 state broadband grant and a contract with Innovate Memphis to distribute devices and support digital-equity outreach; presenters outlined plans for nonprofit partners and device distribution to underserved households.
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to accept $100,000 from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and approve a contract with Innovate Memphis to distribute tablets and advance digital-equity work in Shelby County.
Hannah McCarthy of the Mayor’s Office described the grant as a phase-two effort to leverage Innovate Memphis’ Connect Shelby work and said the county intends to distribute up to 1,600 tablets to residents through nonprofit partners. "Broadband access is very important today. It's I would say it's important as access to clean drinking water and to electricity," McCarthy said, stressing the relationship between devices, skills and affordable home service.
Innovate Memphis executive director Jessica Lotz and staff outlined an approach pairing devices with outreach, printed materials and partner nonprofit distribution. Commissioners asked about scaling, mapping of broadband gaps, and outreach to justice-involved youth and school populations. The committee recorded six "aye" votes and forwarded the grant and contract with a favorable recommendation.
