PRESS RELEASE

City of Long Beach 
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd, 
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov

6/18/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 061820
Subject:
City of Long Beach Partners with Nonprofits to Launch a Digital Resource Platform ConnectedLB
City designated as a 2020 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer
Contact:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS (Media inquiries only)
jic@longbeach.gov (Media inquiries only)





Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Technology and Innovation Department, in partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF),  EveryoneOn and human-I-T, has launched a centralized online platform for Long Beach residents to access low-cost Internet services, computers and digital literacy resources, called ConnectedLB Platform, in affiliation with CETF’s Get Connected Initiative.

“The Internet has become more important than ever,” says Mayor Robert Garcia. “Through ConnectedLB, more people will have access to affordable services to stay connected, especially during this pandemic.”

The ConnectedLB Platform allows Long Beach residents to find low-cost Internet services and computers in their local neighborhoods by entering their zip code. Long Beach residents may qualify for low-cost Internet services and computers based on verification of income status and household participation in public benefit programs. The platform is available in both English and Spanish and is expected to run through April 2021 or until further notice. Platform content is managed by EveryoneOn. To access the platform, Long Beach residents can visit: everyoneon.org/longbeach.

City of Long Beach Named “2020 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer” by National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)

The City of Long Beach is one of 14 jurisdictions in the nation to be named a 2020 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). This is the second time the City has received this distinct recognition. Digital Inclusion Trailblazers is an honor roll of local government initiatives that promote digital literacy and broadband Internet access for underserved residents. 

Trailblazers are models for other local governments to pursue digital inclusion efforts in their own communities. NDIA identifies local governments using six indicators, such as:

  • Full-time staff dedicated to digital inclusion initiatives.

  • Local government has developed or is developing a digital inclusion plan.

  • Local government participates in a digital inclusion coalition.

  • Local government has conducted or plans to conduct Internet access survey research.

  • Local government directly finds community digital inclusion programming.

  • Local government has or is taking steps to increase the affordability of home broadband Internet service.

More information regarding the City’s Digital Inclusion Initiative is available on its website.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit:longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.