Congressmember Linda T. Sánchez Presents Check for Norwalk’s Smart Cities Digital Divide Project

Norwalk, CA - On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Congressmember Linda T. Sánchez presented the City of Norwalk with a check for $1.72 million for its Smart Cities Digital Divide project.

The Smart Cities Digital Divide project will help ensure that Norwalk students and residents have equitable access to necessary digital infrastructure. The project will establish "Smart & Safe" Wi-Fi zones within public parks and facilities near these locations.

Mayor Rick Ramirez thanked Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez stating, "Thank you, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez, for working with us to obtain this necessary funding that will assist in the digital divide that exists within the City." He continued, "This funding will help some of the City's neighborhood students, as well as the rest of the community to have equitable access to the internet, which is a key factor in today's technologically driven society."

The Wi-Fi project is designed and developed for the City of Norwalk's neighborhood students, employees, workers, and small businesses.

At the City Council meeting, Congressmember Linda T. Sánchez stated, "Internet access is needed for almost everything today, from connecting with family to e-learning and applying for jobs. It needs to be accessible for everyone." Congressmember Sánchez continued, "I'm delighted to be here in Norwalk today to highlight how this funding will make the internet more accessible for our students and residents."

The funding for this project, which is coming from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, was part of the historic bipartisan omnibus appropriations agreement for fiscal year 2022 that was signed by President Biden on March 11, 2022. This omnibus appropriations package included earmarked, Member-specific, community projects, which has not happened in over a decade.

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