New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the expansion of the Big Apple Connect program to include up to 40,000 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) households throughout the Bronx and the City of New York. The expansion will bring free, reliable internet access to an additional 25 NYCHA developments, making high-speed internet available to more low-income families than ever before.
The Big Apple Connect program, launched in May 2021, aims to provide affordable and reliable internet access to New Yorkers who are most in need. The program has been a lifeline for many NYCHA residents who have struggled with the digital divide, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted the critical need for internet access, not only for remote work and education but also for telehealth, job searches, and other essential services.
The expansion of the Big Apple Connect program has been welcomed by New York State Assemblymembers, including Brian A. Cunningham, Jenifer Rajkumar, Helene Weinstein, and John Zaccaro Jr. They have applauded Mayor Adams and the administration for continuing to close the digital divide and ensuring more New Yorkers have access to broadband internet service at home.
Access to high-speed internet increases household income by $2,100 annually, according to Jenifer Rajkumar, and a 10 percentage point increase in broadband penetration increases GDP by 1.2%.
