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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Offers Funds for Community Technology Projects
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
1/27/2004 3:30:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Keyes (206) 386-9759
D'Anne Mount (206) 233-8736
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Seattle Offers Funds for Community Technology Projects
SEATTLE — Seattle’s Department of Information Technology is seeking applications for the Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund (TMF). This year the City will award approximately 9 -15 grants up to $10,000 each from a total fund of $85,000. Seattle neighborhood groups and organizations are encouraged to apply for funds for projects which increase technology literacy and access. The City is also encouraging “electronic democracy” projects which increase resident participation in community problem solving and use information and communications technology to support their effort.
The application deadline is 5 p.m., March 8, 2004. Applications and guidelines are available on-line at seattle.gov/tech, at Neighborhood Service Centers or by calling the Department of Information Technology, Community Technology at (206) 684-0600. A workshop on the grants will be held on Monday, February 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Uptown Center at 157 Roy Street.
The Technology Matching Fund was established in 1997 to support the community’s efforts to close the digital divide and encourage a technology-healthy city. “This program is an important tool in the City’s effort to improve access to government for all our residents” says Mayor Greg Nickels. The City recently renamed the matching fund in memory of Bill Wright, a Central District community leader who embodied the program’s goal of creating digital opportunity for all and using technology tools to build strong neighborhoods.
Local groups are encouraged to think creatively about how they can better use technology to meet the needs of their communities. “Enabling training and access to technology in our most disadvantaged communities continues to be a priority,” says Chief Technology Officer William Schrier. “This year we are also looking to fund projects that help residents get involved. There are many interesting ways that tools like email and the Internet can help solve problems, while increasing communication between citizens and government.”
Prior year grant recipients include:
- Boys & Girls Club $7,500 for the Techmobile to provide classes to increase media literacy for Seattle youths.
- Jack Straw Productions. $10,000 to enable blind and visually impaired adults the ability to record and edit their own radio programs and audio projects.
- Low Income Housing Institute. $7,500 to increase the program outreach and volunteer recruitment at the Sand Point Community Technology Center which provides computer literacy classes serving low-income families.
Sample project lists are available, and applicants are encouraged to contact city staff with their ideas at communitytechnology@seattle.gov or by calling (206) 684-0600.
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Dept. of Information Technology Community Technology Group
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