PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — It may be hard to believe, but thousands of Multnomah County residents do not own a computer and tens of thousands are without internet service.
This weekend, Comcast and the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission took a huge step forward to close that digital divide with the help of Free Geek , a local nonprofit.
PHOTOS: Art exhibit highlights lost communities of Old Town Portland
They announced a $2 million investment to provide free internet access to students, families, veterans and others in need, even building out areas to provide that service. Comcast and the commission also donated the same amount to Free Geek last year.
“We know access to digital skills and this digital equity work is really important for people to be able to fully participate in our modern society now,” said Marion Haynes with Comcast. “So this is really enabling that for people that would otherwise not have those resources.”
The investment provides $1 million to Free Geek to purchase almost 4,000 laptops to give out to those in need. On Sunday, the organization gave out 500 of those Dell laptops to families who could use them.