Accessing computers and quality Wi-Fi is a privilege, one that most inner cities residents across the nation don't have access to, including here in Erie.


The CEO of Climate Changers Inc. a local non-profit, Fred Williams is hoping to bridge this digital divide by transforming Climate Changers Inc. on E. 11th street into a technology center called TASC Hub.

 "The inner city technology has always been a big gap. People don't have computers or they don't have Wi Fi you know there's just a plethora of reasons, where technology has always been a stumbling block. We saw a need for people to have a place to come, that was going to be centrally located in the city,” Williams told Erie News Now, Tuesday.

Income plays a huge factor on this divide.  Erie's inner city household averages $25,121 a year. According to the Pew Research Center roughly three-in-ten adults with household incomes below $30,000 a year don't own a smartphone, and more than four-in-ten don't have home broadband services or a traditional computer.

The TASC Hub will have up to date technology giving inner city residents the ability to do simple tasks like social service applications, jobs, and school work. A much needed place. In fact, take a look this map showing Wi-Fi hubs across the city. The map reveals large gaps across inner city neighborhoods. This eye-opening data is what made Kim Burney, an IT specialist join in on making this project reality.

“I heard of this 85-year-old man who didn’t know what to do. He said I want to get a shot but I don't know how to get online, I don't do online. It's people like that who I want to help, said Kim Burney, IT Specialist.

 

The TASC Hub will be open to the public in April, there is no exact date set yet.