Comcast Convenes Digital Equity and Economic Development Roundtable in Michigan City with Local Officials and Community Leaders

Roundtable Follows $75,000 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge Grant to Support the Michigan City Area Schools Digital Revitalization Initiative

Michigan City, IN – Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch, Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Wendel McCollum, Indiana Broadband Office Deputy Broadband Program Director Latasha Hayes and a host of city officials and community-based organizations joined national and local Comcast leaders on November 19 at Elston Middle School for a roundtable discussion on digital equity and economic development in Michigan City.

The discussion included the impact and implementation of Michigan City’s $75,000 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant award, which was announced in June as part of a joint initiative between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Comcast to support local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth in under-resourced communities.   The grant is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and help create a future of unlimited possibilities.

As one of four small cities to receive the award, Michigan City is dedicating its grant to expand the Michigan City Area Schools Digital Revitalization Initiative – a program centered on increasing access to local workforce training programs to grow readiness for college and careers.

“Michigan City understands the role digital equity plays in unlocking economic mobility and workforce opportunities,” said Broderick Johnson, Comcast’s Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Digital Equity.

“I’d like to congratulate Michigan City on its Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant award, which will undoubtedly help more residents enter the digital economy through the Michigan City Area Schools Digital Revitalization Initiative.”

“Our partnership with Michigan City Area Schools has the ability to provide new workforce and economic development opportunities for many Michigan City parents and families,” said Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch. “Thank you to Comcast and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for their support of our city’s future.”

“Quality internet access is critical to every household – from education to healthcare, to job advancement to overall quality of life,” said Indiana Broadband Office Deputy Broadband Program Director Latasha Hayes. “For Indiana to continue to thrive in our digital world, it takes collaborative partnerships and the community working together to ensure internet accessibility for all.”

“Comcast is deeply committed to the communities we serve,” said Chris Smith, Comcast’s Regional Senior Vice President. “For more than a decade, Comcast has been focused on bridging the digital divide in Michigan City and other locations across our footprint nationally. We are proud to be part of the fabric of Michigan City and to play a role in its economic future.”