The state of Ohio has dedicated $250 million and the city of Cleveland $25 million to sweeping programs to bridge the digital divide, providing subsidized service, infrastructure buildout, Wi-Fi hot spots and digital devices. But the on-the-ground groups working on the issue stress that it is digital literacy that is the crucial final step, or last mile, when effectively connecting underserved communities to employment opportunities.

On Monday, March 28, Angela Thi Bennett will become the digital equity director for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The nonprofit focused on bridging Cleveland's digital divide announced on Wednesday, March 9, that CEO Dorothy Baunach will take on the role of strategic adviser. In turn, veteran nonprofit and civic executive Sharon Sobol Jordan will serve as interim CEO of DigitalC starting April 1. A national search for a new leader has begun.

Supply chain challenges are affecting efforts to close the digital divide. Plus, AT&T is opening a learning center in Cleveland, and more.