CITY OF PITTSBURGH RECOGNIZED AS A 2024 DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER
Published on January 22, 2025
CITY OF PITTSBURGH RECOGNIZED AS A 2024 DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER
City Earns Second Consecutive Year of Recognition for Efforts to Close the Digital Divide
Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh is proud to be named a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). This prestigious national recognition highlights the city’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide and promote digital equity for all residents.
Pittsburgh’s recognition comes as part of a record-setting cohort of 60 awardees from municipal, county, and regional governments across the United States, all of whom are leading the way in creating digitally inclusive communities. This marks the city’s second consecutive year of being honored as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer.
“We are deeply committed to ensuring that all Pittsburgh residents have the opportunity to be connected through reliable internet access,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “We recognize the profound impact the digital divide can have on individuals and communities, and we work every day to make sure these resources are accessible to all. We are grateful that the NDIA has acknowledged our efforts in closing the digital gap.”
Digital inclusion—ensuring access to affordable high-speed internet, digital devices, and the skills necessary to navigate the digital world—is fundamental for participation in today's society. It opens doors to economic, educational, and social opportunities, allowing individuals to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
“In the past decade, we’ve seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.”
NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers serve as national models for other communities seeking to build and expand their own digital inclusion programs. Pittsburgh achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital equity through initiatives such as:
- Having dedicated staff on digital equity
- Our Rec2Tech program in the Parks Department
- Participation in local partner coalitions, including the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance (GPDIA)
- Concrete efforts in data collecting and mapping to plan for measurable impacts toward the City's digital inclusion goals
Since its inception in 2016, NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers program has set the national standard for excellence in digital inclusion. Each applicant’s materials are carefully reviewed for accuracy and community impact and are made available in an interactive, searchable database on the NDIA website, providing resources and inspiration for other local governments and advocates working to advance digital equity.
For more information on Pittsburgh’s digital inclusion efforts and to learn more about the NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers program, visit https://www.digitalinclusion.org/.
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About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,900 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.
Olga George
olga.george@pittsburghpa.gov
412-627-0679