Part of the "SOUTH COLUMBUS SOUL" initiative
Establish South Columbus as a digital city of the future by expanding broadband readiness, digital literacy, internet safety education, affordable internet enrollment, and youth technology training. The initiative includes four components: make Columbus a Broadband Ready Community, create digital literacy and web safety education programs, increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program, and develop a Youth Tech Prep program. The goal is to reduce barriers to education and employment, increase technology-sector employment, expand remote-role access, and support economic mobility in South Columbus.
Tracks increased remote roles in South Columbus.
Tracks tech-related job fair placements in jobs at or above the county average wage.
Tracks youth and adult digital literacy skill development through internet safety and digital literacy education.
Tracks South Columbus households eligible for Affordable Connectivity Program support.
Tracks participating youth using certifications to access skill-based work.
Tracks eligible household device-purchase discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Tracks eligible household internet service discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Tracks medium-term certification, computer, and training costs per cohort.
Tracks increased awareness and enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program for eligible households.
Tracks annual tech-related job fairs for the South Columbus community.
Tracks youth obtaining tech certifications through certification programs.
Tracks long-term annual per-cohort costs for family tech camps and additional certifications.
Tracks short-term implementation cost for contractor support, awareness materials, and an educational entity to house the program.
Tracks the full projected cost of the Cyber Soul program.
Tracks South Columbus broadband readiness and expanded access to reliable high-speed internet.
Tracks completion of tech job training and work-from-home training.
Tracks potential partner organizations supporting broadband, digital literacy, youth tech, and affordable internet access.
Tracks decrease in workforce barriers such as transportation and childcare.
Tracks collaboration across schools, city government, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, broadband providers, and utility/funding partners.
Tracks increased technology-sector employment in South Columbus.
Tracks Affordable Connectivity Program signage, public hotspot information, splash pages, and social media promotion.
Total project cost shown is $51,010. Short-term subtotal is $22,000, including $10,000 for a contractor to support buildout of the Tech Education Program and Community Broadband Application, $2,000 for Affordable Internet Awareness Materials, and $10,000 annually for a grant to an educational entity to house the program. Medium-term subtotal is $13,880 for CompTIA IT Fundamental + Certification, CompTIA Network+ Certification, Apple Certified Support Professional, Cisco Certified Network Associate, and computers for pop-up certification courses. Long-term subtotal is $15,130 annually per cohort for pop-up family tech camp materials and another round of certifications for additional participants.