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 announced the release of two digital inclusion resources, including an updated multilingual Digital Inclusion Resource Guide and a new Digital Inclusion Resources Asset Map. These tools are designed to empower residents and bridge the digital divide by providing access to essential digital inclusion services and resources that are increasingly vital for navigating today’s digital world.

“Digital access has become increasingly vital for education, employment, health services and daily life,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Digital inclusion empowers our community, and these resources will support our residents in connecting, learning and thriving in this increasingly digital world.”

The Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion, in collaboration with cross-sector digital inclusion partners, has updated the Digital Inclusion Resource Guide. Cross-sector digital inclusion partners include City departments, community-based organizations, community members, Digital inclusion nonprofits, funders, higher education institutions, internet service providers (ISPs), K-12 education institutions, private technology companies and workforce development organizations. They provide strategic guidance and support in developing the vision, goals, objectives and strategies that strive to advance digital equity and inclusion for all in Long Beach.

The updated digital Inclusion resource guide provides comprehensive, easy-to-navigate information on low-cost internet options, low-cost computing device access and digital skills training. The guide also features comprehensive information about free public Wi-Fi and free Long Beach Public Library resources throughout the City. This resource guide is available in English, Spanish, Tagalog and Khmer.

The new Digital Inclusion Resources Asset Map is a dynamic, interactive digital tool that highlights local resources, organizations and programs focused on addressing the digital divide. This new tool allows residents and community-based organizations to search for digital inclusion services based on location, resource type, zip code or specific program needs by accessing the longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion webpage. Whether looking for internet access, computing devices or digital skills trainings, the asset map simplifies the process of connecting residents with relevant resources and services in their local Long Beach neighborhoods.

"We are proud to add these tools to the various digital equity tools we have available to support our residents," said Lea Eriksen, Director of Technology and Innovation. "The Digital Equity Asset Map was co-created with community stakeholders to ensure digital inclusion resources are easily accessible to community-based organizations and residents."

Residents, community organizations, and local businesses are encouraged to explore and share these new tools at the Resource Guides webpage.

The City was recently named a 2024 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for the seventh consecutive year. Long Beach is one of 34 jurisdictions from across the country to be recognized for its outstanding commitment to advancing critical digital inclusion initiatives within the community. 

For more information on digital equity and inclusion in Long Beach, visit https://www.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 maintaining a 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.