Digital Divide - OMB Watch

Digital Divide:

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TOP and CTCs Survive in FY 03 02/20/2003
The federal Technology Opportunities Program and Community Technology Centers program emerged from the appropriations logjam in Congress with level funding of $15.5 million and $32.5 million respectively. Despite early and sustained signals from the Bush Administration desiring elimination of both programs, and a worsening economic picture, community technology supporters were able to mount a strong push to help protect the future of both initiatives. More information on FY 03 community technology appropriations is available from the Digital Empowerment Steering Committee.

Funding Fate of CTC and TOP Still Uncertain 11/04/2002
The fate of both the federal Community Technology Centers and Technology Opportunities remains uncertain as Congress wrapped up business to focus on the last days of the midterm elections. The Hous eand Senate did pass acontinuing resolutions continuing the current level of funding for both programs. FY 2003 spending bills will be the focus of a November 12 "lame duck" session.

For more information on the Digital Empowerment campaign to encourage increased funding for both programs, steered by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in conjunction with over 150 organizations, visit: www.digitalempowerment.org

PowerUP Centers Program Comes to an End 10/30/2002
John Schwartz, writing in the 10/30/02 New York Times discusses the shutting down of the PowerUP initiative, launched in late 1999 to combat the digital divide in underserved communities. Launched in late 1999, PowerUP (http://powerup.org) was an effort to
provide capital and technological expertise to youth-serving entities
within underserved communities across America. Over 950 technology centers were developed or enhanced through the project, and each will now be supported through other organizations, local financing, or other means. Read More

FY 02 Technology Opportunities Program Grantees Announced 09/30/2002
On September 27, 2002, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the awarding of $12.4 million in Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) grants to 25 collaborative projects involving nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, in 19 states and the District of Columbia. TOP received 741 applications for FY2002 funds. Read More

Divided Over Digital Gains and Gaps 08/19/2002
A number of recent reports and studies have suggested evidence that digital divide skeptics say underscores their contention that technology access gaps are not a policy problem. Is there legitimate cause for celebration, or more evidence suggesting a problem whose actual implications are more difficult to pinpoint than previously thought? Read More

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