PRESS RELEASE

Above: City of Long Beach Digital Inclusion stakeholders pictured at a Summer 2024 stakeholder meeting held at Billie Jean King Main Library.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has been named a2024 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) for the seventh consecutive year.Long Beach is one of 34 jurisdictionsfrom across the country to be recognized for itsoutstandingcommitment to advancing critical digital inclusion initiatives within the community.  

“Digital inclusion is essential to participating and thriving in today’s world– connecting our communities to the digital skills training, internet access and computing devices that they need remains a vital priority for Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We take pride in being recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and California Public Utilities Commission for our ongoing digital inclusion efforts.” 

With a notable 22 points out of a possible 23, Long Beach has achieved the highest honor granted by NDIA.Visionary Trailblazers are defined by NDIA as communities that have deeply integrated digital inclusion throughout their government and are leading the way in digital inclusion innovation by providing models for other local governments. 

Long Beach achieved Visionary Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents by: 

The complete list of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers is available here. 

"We are proud to be recognized as a Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazerand grateful for the grants from the CPUC that enable us to amplify our digital inclusion efforts," said Lea Eriksen, Director of Technology and Innovation. "This support will help our teamexpand its efforts in bridging the digital divide in our community." 

“In the past decade, we’ve seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive,” said Angela Siefer,Executive Director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.” 

Additionally, the City has secured two grants from the California Public Utilities Commission as part of the California Advanced Services Fund Broadband Adoption Account. These grants will support two community projects to enhance digital literacy and internet access for Long Beach residents. The first project, Cambodia Town Learn and Earn Digital Skills Program, will provide residents with essential digital skills training at Mark Twain Library. The second project, the Free Public Wi-Fi at Recreation Park, will allow the City to install the necessary infrastructure to provide residents with free internet access in the community center, enhancing connectivity. More information and class registration details for these programs will be available early summer 2025 at longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion/. 

In June 2021, the Long Beach City Council approved the City's first Digital Inclusion Roadmap (Roadmap) to address the digital divide and advance digital equity and inclusion in Long Beach. The foundation of the Roadmap includes a vision statement, goals, objectives and strategies through a collective impact approach and equity lens in three focus areas: capacity, connectivity and technology. 

More information about the City’s Digital Inclusion Initiative and Roadmap is available at longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion/. 

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaininga strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach. 

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. To learn more about Technology and Innovation, visit: longbeach.gov/ti.