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Publisher: Government TechnologyAs life increasingly migrates into the digital realm, more agencies within municipal government are finding that digital inclusion — the effort to provide all residents with equal access to technology, as well as the related skills to benefit — is vital to the well-being of the public. Cities such as Seattle; Portland, Ore.; Austin; Kansas City, Mo.; and Louisville, Ky., have laid out official digital inclusion strategies and forward-thinking plans, and many other cities now have appointees or departments dedicated ... Read More

Publisher: Benton Institute for Broadband & SocietyLocal governments are leading the way to implement innovative, forward-looking civic technology programs that narrow the digital divide and make cities more livable. But for all the impressive initiatives out there, many brilliant ideas never get off the ground for lack of resources. So last year, with support from the Democracy Fund and Benton Foundation, Next Century Cities launched the Charles Benton Next Generation Engagement Award. The competitive civic innovation prize invited cities to ... Read More

Publisher: Next Century Cities Benton Next Generation Award Winners at Broadband Communities Summit The Next Century Cities team was thrilled to showcase its Benton Next Generation Engagement Award winners at the Broadband Communities Summit in Dallas, Texas yesterday. The early morning hour – we took the stage at 8am – couldn’t keep a crowd away to hear from our inaugural Benton grantees. Representatives from Austin, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Louisville, Kentucky presented their progress implementing their projects. Read More

Publisher: Austin Tech AllianceEarly Sunday morning, a packed audience filled 3TEN Austin City Limits Live for a panel discussion on “What is a Smart City: Technologies & Challenges.” Writing for the Austin Monitor, Chad Swiatecki already did an excellent job recapping the event, including an exciting bit of news regarding using technology to battle Austin’s affordability crisis. From Chad’s article: Read More

Publisher: Austin Monitor  Austin’s reputation as one of the nation’s smartest cities went under the microscope Sunday, with policy and academic experts examining the technology, educational, housing and transportation components – and the city’s shifting needs as it grows – that combine to make it a magnet for creatives. The South by Southwest panel “What Is a Smart City?” was a typical SXSW mix of big ideas and analysis, though there was one bit of news for locals: The Austin CityUp public/private consortium is ... Read More

Publisher: Austin Women MagazineWe take an inside look at the innovative and ingenious ways in which two social entrepreneurs are continuing to bring the tech world to under-served women in Austin. The world is in the middle of the technology revolution, and the United States is at the forefront of its progressive developments and change. Yet, in some underserved communities, one may not even know or have heard of the incredible innovations shaping the tech scene today. In low-income neighborhoods ... Read More

Publisher: StateTechHow do you make your city a leader in the 21st century ­economy? Ensure that all ­residents have a fast internet ­connection and the freedom to innovate. That’s the reasoning behind New York City’s $10 million initiative to bring high-speed internet to the city’s poorest citizens, starting with those who reside at Queensbridge North and South, which together make up the largest public housing development in the nation. All told, Queensbridge houses more than 6,500 residents, spreading over six ... Read More