Government

White House selects KC for digital inclusion pilot

Kansas City was selected as part of a national pilot program to connect more children and families to the Internet. President Obama on Wednesday introduced the ConnectHome initiative, which will connect more low-income families to high-speed broadband. To achieve that, the program will unite Internet service providers, non-profits and the private sector to offer broadband access,…

U.S. Secretary of Commerce praises KC entrepreneurship

A member of President Obama’s cabinet met with local entrepreneurs Tuesday to discuss how federal funds have helped accelerate their businesses, and in turn grow Kansas City. In a stop to Kansas City during the National Council of La Raza, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker met with companies that have participated in business incubator…

FCC commissioner Ajit Pai visits with local entrepreneurs

In a reunion trip to Kansas City, a federal communications official visited with entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss the effects of high-speed Internet access in the area. Ajit Pai, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission, stopped by the Kansas City Startup Village Thursday on a tour to gain more information on broadband expansion…

LaunchCode

St. Louis tech group expanding to KC

A St. Louis tech organization is using its recent funding award to expand its operations into Kansas City. LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that helps with job placement in technology, received a $250,000 award Wednesday from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will help it expand to cities across Missouri, including Kansas City. “MTC’s support will be…

New lab hopes to boost digital inclusion in Kansas City

A new computer lab in Northeast Kansas City hopes to serve as a tech oasis in a digital desert among low-income households. Google donated and opened the new lab Monday in Chouteau Court, furthering the company’s mission to help bridge the area’s digital divide through education about computers and Internet use. Rachel Hack Merlo, Google…