Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is contributing 1,700 refurbished laptop computers to the Detroit “Connect your Community” project. CTN is an active partner in the project working to provide wireless broadband service to participants. The contribution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan completes the third leg of this partnership providing access, training and technology to members of the community in areas that have not had services or tools available until now. “We are thrilled to participate in the Connect Your Community project in Detroit, and to partner with the various service organizations in their efforts to engage and empower people as they connect to broadband service and improve their computer literacy,” said Bill Toples, BCBSM director of Community Responsibility.
“Connect Your Community” is a multi-city initiative designed to expand broadband Internet training and spur adoption by more than 5,000 Detroit residents. The project has allocated $3 million in funds to work in three designated Detroit neighborhoods served by Focus: HOPE, Child Care Coordinating Council of Wayne County and Matrix Human Services to help low-income households use broadband Internet services. The “Connect Your Community” will serve a total of 20,000 across the country, including Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and Mississippi. The project is an $18.7 million federal award funded by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program award announced in September 2010 by the U.S Department of Commerce.