Montgomery County is further expanding its digital equity program, Montgomery Connects, after receiving $22.6 million through federal and state grants.
The Montgomery Connects program seeks to “expand access to computers, broadband service…and technology training for low-income residents and seniors,” according to a county press release.
The county uses the majority of its grant funding to provide loaner Chromebook computers to residents. To this point, the county has distributed 25,000 computers through 80 distribution events located at various locations.
According to the county, more than 76% of the computer recipients identify as Black or Latino, and 84% of recipients live in households with an annual income of less than $50,000.
The county plans to distribute another 25,000 loaner computers through December. This week, distribution events will take place on the following days and locations:
- Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Plum Gar Community Center in Germantown
- Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wheaton American Job Center in Silver Spring
- Friday, Oct. 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the White Oak Senior Center in Silver Spring
- Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Gilchrist Center in Wheaton
The Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund provided roughly 70% of the $22.6 million received by the county, which went towards the purchase of 40,000 Chromebook computers. The Maryland Emergency Education Relief fund granted roughly $4 million.
