GSDC

Mayor Daley speaks at the press conference in front of Federal Communications Commission officials and community leaders.

          On December 21st, 2009, Mayor Daley and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski held a press conference at Churchview Supportive Living on 63rd Street. Chairman Genachowski was in Chicago holding hearings to discuss the need for federal stimulus funding to support technology and communications initiatives in Chicago. The Mayor also used the press conference to announce the Smart Communities Initiative, a project that has been in planning stages since early 2009.

                The Smart Communities Program selected 5 target communities to focus on bridging the digital divide between low- and high- income communities. Three of these communities; Chicago Lawn, Auburn Gresham, and Englewood, teamed up to form the Southwest Smart Communities Initiative (SSCI) headed by representatives from local non-profits and organized by project manager Norma Sanders.                              

In April of 2009, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Teamwork Englewood, Inner City Muslim Action Network, Southwest Organizing Project, and LISC Chicago held several community meetings to assess the needs of these three communities and what they would most like to see in terms of technological advancement in the area. After these planning meetings, SSCI developed a master plan to map out the needs of the communities and potential projects for partner agencies to develop.

Mayor Daley officially presented this plan at the conference. He spoke about the importance of expanding access to technology in areas like Chicago Lawn, where many residents don’t have computer or internet access. The SSCI plan contains a number of proposed programs, including the installation of family computer labs and development of youth-run technology training programs. The two key programs already being implemented in GSDC’s service area are the installment of web-enabled kiosks, donated by HP, in a number of community centers, including the Southwest REACH center, and the installation of a free wireless internet network along 63rd Street to encourage the use of technology for small businesses.        

A representative from HP was at the press conference to present the kiosk to the REACH center. Microsoft has also been supportive of the project and they announced that they would be donating an additional $1.3 million in software. This donation will hopefully help establish computer labs, an important componant of the Smart Communities plan. Another potential asset to neighborhood computer labs would be the existence of Wireless Internet in the neighborhoods. The 63rd Street Wi-Fi project, which is being implemented by the 63rd Street Growth Commission, the New Communities Program, and GSDC, will be a pilot project, creating the groundwork for an increase in web site development and use of other internet resources for business owners, while providing an extra benefit for community residents who seek internet access.

As it stands now, the Wi-Fi project will provide internet access free of cost to businesses and residents on 63rd Street between Western Ave. and Central Park. Eventually, we hope to expand this access all the way to Cicero. GSDC is seeking to fund this project through the 63rd St. Growth Commission, whose mission is to revitalize the 63rd Street commercial corridor, and through LISC, which is committed to funding initiatives, including investments in technology, in its service areas.  In seeking to expand the network, GSDC is looking for new funding sources, including the kind of federal stimulus funding that was discussed at the meeting between Mayor Daley and the FCC Chairman.            

GSDC’s Jim Capraro spoke at the press conference about the importance of communication for small business development, citing the history of successful small businesses in the 63rd Street business corridor. He explained that in the past, successful businesses in the area used newspapers and print media to increase their customer base. Now, the internet is becoming the most important tool for business communications. Entrepreneurs in the Smart Communities target neighborhoods do not plan to be left out.

Julie Welborn, owner of Perfect Peace Café & Bakery in the Auburn-Gresham community at 1255 W. 79th St. spoke about the ways in which the internet has sustained her business. She uses the Cafe’s website (www.perfectpeacecafe.com) to constantly update her catering menu, as well as drawing customers in with free wireless so they can bring laptops and go online. These are exactly the kinds of benefits that the 63rd Street Growth Commission hopes that its members will experience with the free Wi-Fi project.

FCC Chairman Genachowski commended the local organizations and the Mayor for a commitment to bringing technology to underserved areas. He noted that federal programs are looking at successful local initiatives when they form national policy, and that he sees many of Chicago’s programs as good models for other cities and communities.

Chairman Genachowski has been holding hearings in cities all over the country to talk about targeting stimulus funding where it is most needed. The Smart Communities Partnership met with an official from the FCC in November to discuss the planned programs and the need for funding. Among them is the hiring of Tech Organizers at the Southwest Organizing Project, who would help facilitate the use of emerging technology among all residents and business owners in Chicago Lawn and the building of a family friendly computer lab. These and other important projects could be greatly enhanced and expedited with an influx of stimulus funding. City and local leaders where therefore grateful for the chance to showcase the kinds of well-thought out projects we are putting into action in our communities.