CLEVELAND DIGITAL VISION |
Cleveland Digital Vision |
OUR DIGITAL VISION: 2008 "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." In 2008, Cleveland is one of the most computer-literate and networked cities in the U.S. As a result, our residents are becoming better educated; more people are engaged in civic life from their blocks to City Hall and beyond; and thousands of formerly low-income Clevelanders are making good livings in a growing regional technology sector, in IT-enhanced jobs in traditional industries, and in their own small businesses. A typical home in every neighborhood of the city has at least one modern computer with a high-speed connection to the Internet and other local networks. Everyone in the house knows how to use it. Computer literacy and network access has become a part of every neighborhood’s strategic plan. Knowledgeable neighborhood leaders collaborate with citywide institutions to assure their residents excellent IT training and technical support. State of the art network infrastructure is available in every neighborhood and is being used innovatively -- for small business development, recreation, parent-teacher contact, distance learning, access to government resources, community organization, grassroots media. Schools, community computer centers, workforce trainers, colleges, political and business leaders are engaged in a common effort to get our entire workforce certified "IT literate". We’re able to measure our progress because a common certification tool for basic computer and Internet literacy is used throughout the community. By 2008, we’re at least halfway to our goal. The number of adults without high school degrees in every neighborhood is being significantly reduced. The number of adults and youth in every neighborhood enrolled in higher education is being significantly increased. The "average worker" in Cleveland now has some postsecondary education and intends to get more. As a result of these changes, thousands of formerly low-income Cleveland residents are now competing for skilled, well-paid employment in the region’s growing IT and biotech sectors, as well as in health care, banking, insurance, and advanced manufacturing. And new small businesses are emerging from Cleveland basements, garages and storefronts. That’s the future we want to invent. How do we get started?
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