Montgomery County is continuing to loan computers to low-income and senior residents, using more than $22.6 million in federal and state grants for its Montgomery Connects digital equity program, County Executive Marc Elrich announced.
The funds also help to provide access to broadband services and discounts, as well as technology training.
“Everyone deserves to be part of the digital world—it is a necessity,” Elrich said in a press release. “Montgomery County was focused on digital equity before the pandemic, and it is critical to our economic and educational recovery efforts.”
“Montgomery Connects is using most of the grant funding to provide 50,000 loaner computers to low-income County residents,” according to the release. “More than 76 percent of Montgomery Connects computer recipients are Black or Latino. Among the recipients, 84 percent live in households earning less than $50,000 per year.”
The program has formed partnerships with more than 35 county facilities and local organizations to hold distribution events where 25,000 Chromebook computers have been distributed so far.
The next local events will be held Wednesday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wheaton American Job Center, 11510 Georgia Ave., and Friday, Oct. 14, 1-5 p.m. at the White Oak Senior Center, 1700 April Ln.
Any county resident who is at least 7 years old and doesn’t have access to a computer for education purposes (including learning how to use one, or learn to access the internet) is eligible. Residents must make an appointment via Eventbrite to attend a distribution event. New appointments are listed each Sunday at 2 p.m.
Complete information about the program, including FAQs, is available online.
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