the Digital Town Hall

Access to technology - computers, multi-use in business, neighborhood and personal services, government recognition and financial wherewithal are major cripplers of neighborhood level service industry businesses in Concentrated Poverty neighborhoods. Concentrated poverty follows decades of high "UNEMPLOYMENT".

Since "service industries" make-up the primary stock of neighborhood level businesses and the vetted businesses of the the people in the neighborhood that net millions monthly, why do they not have access to computers?

These are the businesses that are known, respected, passed on; and, will hire the re-entry workers from correctional sites, displaced worker, under-employed worker and provide opportunities from enterpreneurism to entry-level on-the-job training. Yet, they are not connected to the main economy.

In a 2008 case study, Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke, noted the importance by saying, "I believe this project will stimulate future efforts to better understand these communities and link them to our national economy".

MPA-Milwaukee Professionals Association has identified 14 service industries in the Milwaukee neighborhoods that are being studied for a report in an upcoming stimulus summit.

The focus in on seeking infrastructural and systemic change as a "stimulus". MPA has chosen corportizing, financial planning and repair, business development and operation, divesting for survival and growth, standardizing; and, apprenticeship partnering.

Why are these businesses disconnected from/to the federal, state and local government agencies? Yet, the neighborhood stakeholders and these businesses bring so many million dollars to urban cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

Why is the local and state government not making strides for local wireless and high-speed networks that close the "digital divide"? These are businesses that will help provide competitive advantage in the marketplace and increase employment that is so desperately needed.

In Milwaukee, 2006, the mayor and common council promised 100% wireless for the city within 2 years (by 2008), the idea was a miserable failure and both the mayor and common council have abandoned the idea and nothing has been done or said about it.

The businesses and organizations in the downtown or those businesses in the wherewithal neighborhoods have access to the internet. The government agencies, district schools, technical colleges and 4-year colleges have access to the latest networks but fail to share with those who helped to purchase the equipment they have.

The public library has a good start but is not equipped with hardware/software/eduware, do not stay open often enough and lacking in providing literacy customized to neighborhood needs.

Why is it that People of Color and Working Poor stakeholders in these neighborhoods are the last one on-line - when others are constantly update with the latest? Why aren’t computers and training provided that organizations and schools have gotten funds for. Large pockets of funds have been received from government and foundation funding, yet they are a scarce resource? Is it by design?

Of course it is. However, those of us who know that success for those who have is only as real as WE help others share the success rather than flounder and continue to spiral downward into to poverty and the vices it brings forth.

I applaud FreePress for continuing to lead the charge in communication of media of all kinds. I do hate I could not be in Washington, DC on May 13 & May 14? I will continue to be on the frontline for advocacy, strategic planning and the upcoming planning/action plan for MPA 2009 Stimulus Summit, Part II - October 19-20, 2009.

Milwaukee Professionals Association is the lone ranger in Milwaukee with an activist voice to speakout regularly on the absence of media especially technology, education attainment, government intervention-partnering and financial wherewithal.

Milwaukee is one of 16 cities that was highlighted in the study by the Federal Reserve and Brookings Institution study, The Enduring the Challenge of Concentrated Poverty in America.

For a summary update, go to:
http://www.chicagofed.org/community_development/files/Wisconsin%20-%20Pr....

Also, visit regularly our websites at:
www.bdcproundtable.info
http://cncfnbamilwaukee.newsvine.com

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