In the fall of 2005, the city of Sacramento itself had unsuccessfully attempted to deploy municipal wireless.  Local non profit and community leaders got wind of what appeared to be a wireless strategy that was not inclusive of local community needs, and, rightly so, intervened. 

Digital divide issues were not considered.  City council members needed education about the needs for technology access for their constituents.  Underserved communities strove for a voice in the process.

Fast forward to late 2006, still with no wireless effort underway in the city of Sacramento and on the heels of an actively involved effort in San Francisco with open debate, dialogue, and discourse between city officials and community activists and residents, as well as other successful CTFC wireless investments in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and Tribal Digital Village in San Diego, CTFC made a large investment in a local Sacramento community based organization to mobilize the non-profit sector and their constituents to exemplify what difference a community-based wireless process can make for the city's underserved residents.

Respected community leader Sacramento Region Community Foundation took the helm to lead this effort.  As a neutral party yet involved activist in many of Sacramento's most disenfranchised communities, they represented an ideal organization who could represent the collective voices most affected by the digital divide in Sacramento.  Through their leadership and community mobilzation efforts, the grantee's plan was to advance the local municipal wireless effort and ensure it addressed digital inclusion, as well as lend credence and contribute to the broader field of community wireless.

So where are we today?

Tonight, the city of Sacramento will vote on a resolution to adopt the wireless effort.  In the resolution, digital inclusion is everywhere, mirroring aspects of other wireless efforts across the state and country.  This is a direct result of their involvement at almost every stage.  Kudos to our grantee for "working" it and ensuring that community is represented in this process.

Simultaneous to their advoacy efforts, they also are implementing their own community wireless effort, along with community partner Sacramento Mutual Housing Association, in two low income housing projects, where the average household income falls below the federal rate for a family of four.  This multicultural community of residents will be offered a means to experience technology in their own neighborhoods and homes, and very likely, close their own digital divide gap at a quicker pace than the municipal effort.

And, all accomplished within the first 8 months of their grant.

Technology deployment, advocacy, and community voice...another "full package" grantee getting close to a home run.

Will the city of Sacramento hit a homer, too?  We hope so.  At tonight's council meeting, our grantee will be present along with other community wireless advocacy partners in this endeavor to lend support and community voice.  Stay tuned!