‘Montgomery Connects’ to Distribute 6,000 Additional Computers to Eligible Low-Income Residents

 

“Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, will distribute 6,000 laptops in March to low-income individuals funded by the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund grant and Maryland Emergency Education Relief grants. Montgomery County-serving nonprofit organizations, agencies and County departments who have clients eligible for the computers are encouraged to make information available to their clients about the limited remaining availability of the laptops.

Residents who do not have a computer are eligible to receive computers from the Montgomery Connects program. The distributions will take place, while supplies last, at numerous events across the County. The next distribution event will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at the Long Branch Library in Silver Spring.

Through March 9, the Montgomery Connects program had distributed 43,610 computers, primarily to low-income households. The summary of distributions to date includes:

1. 84 percent of recipients have an annual household income of less than $50,000 and 35 percent have an annual income of less than $25,000.
2. 77 percent of the computers have been distributed to Black and Latino residents, with 65 percent distributed to Black and Latino residents in households earning less than $50,000 annually.

Organizations are encouraged to provide assistance to help clients register for an appointment to receive a computer using registration links at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer. Organizations that need additional assistance are encouraged to contact Montgomery Connects by email at montgomeryconnects@montgomerycountymd.gov.

“Montgomery Connects wants every person to have a computer, internet connection and the skills to use technology for learning, work and daily living,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have already distributed more than 43,000 computers to people who did not have one. We only have 6,000 remaining, and we want people who need them to get them now before we run out. There are few things more important to for students trying to keep pace in school and workers hoping to improve their job status than having a computer and access to the internet. This Montgomery Connects program is moving our County in the right direction in this crucial area.”

Montgomery Connects is the County’s digital equity and inclusion program. Its goal is to close the digital equity gap. It aspires to empower 100 percent of the County's residents and local businesses to be fully connected and engaged in the digital world. Leaping the digital divide requires access to a home computer, affordable high-speed broadband, and digital skills training. Montgomery Connects, which is operated by the County’s Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), focuses on addressing all three of the needs.

Upcoming computer distribution events (while supplies last):

• Friday, March 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Long Branch Library
• Tuesday, March 14. 3-7 p.m. Long Branch Library
• Wednesday, March 15. Noon-4 p.m. Kensington Park Library
• Friday, March 17. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. White Oak Recreation Center
• Saturday, March 18. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Germantown Community Center
• Tuesday, March 21. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Germantown American Job Center
• Wednesday, March 22. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. East County Community Center
• Thursday, March 23. 3-7 p.m. Gaithersburg Library
• Friday, March 24. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Long Branch Recreation Center
• Monday, March 27. 3-7 p.m., Executive Office Building (cafeteria)
• Tuesday, March 28. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kensington Park Library
• Wednesday, March 29. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Long Branch Recreation Center

Free or discounted internet also is available for eligible households. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal and State program that provides low-income households with a discount of up to $45 per month for home broadband or mobile device plans.

At every Montgomery Connects computer distribution event, County staff will be available to help residents enroll residents in the ACP monthly internet subsidy program. Learn more at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/montgomeryconnects.

Montgomery Connects has enrolled more than 1,000 families in ACP (saving each family more than $540 per year).