Detroit Plans $45 Million for Digital Equity

The city of Detroit plans to spend $45 million of one-time money to bridge the digital divide in the Motor City while employing more residents in technology work through training, internship, and certification. Within her first 45 days at work, Christine Burkette, Detroit's new digital equity director, plans to use data-driven numbers and community engagement to connect many of the 635,000 Detroiters to affordable internet access by 2026 when federal American Rescue Plan funds must be depleted.