Cleveland City Council’s Utilities Committee today again grilled DigitalC, the nonprofit that was allocated $20 million in ARPA dollars to help bridge the city’s digital divide with low-cost internet, on 2025 subscriber numbers before ultimately approving the release of its 2025 funding, amounting to $2.3 million. Another $2 million was approved for DigitalC hitting its digital literacy goals.
DigitalC, which is under a four-year contract with annual funding dependent on subscriber goals, missed its initial numbers in 2024, which led council to hold back $1 million. Since then, it’s been on track.
CEO Joshua Edmonds today reported that it had gained 4,862 new subscribers in 2025, besting its goal of 4,700. More than 10,000 residents were also trained in digital literacy. The service now provides $18/month wifi access to more than 9,300 households.
Brian Kazy, the Ward 13 councilman who heads the committee, has long questioned DigitalC’s numbers. Part of the goal for the program was to connect households that didn’t previously have internet access, not just gain households who were transferring service, he and others have previously noted. Edmonds, in a previous meeting, said there was no simple way to track that data.
Nevertheless, Kazy believes in the overarching mission.
“We were very lenient the last two years; we were very forgiving because we want you guys to succeed,” Kazy said. “This Council wants you to succeed. We want to be able to provide internet for every Cleveland resident, especially those who haven’t had it before.”
DigitalC’s goal is to link at least 7,100 households a year to their broadband system, which has been fully up and operational for the past year and a half.
An aim that’s more than line-item metrics. Cleveland has long been one of the worst major cities when it comes to securing internet for its lower-income population, mostly east side Black households.
Edmonds said DigitalC has hooked up “1,500 to 2,000” Clevelanders so far this year, an effort which was stymied a bit by wintertime temps. (DigitalC canvasses neighborhoods door-by-door to gain customers.)
The model seems to be working. Last June, Detroit and a handful of private investors gathered $1.2 million to set up free internet for hundreds of residents in public housing.
Which Edmonds loves to brag about when he’s on the doorsteps of potential customers.
“I think it’s just a lot of pride that we’re able to push this Cleveland Model,” he told Scene after the meeting. “We sat it’s built for Cleveland, by Cleveland.”
He added, “We have a competitive edge. No other city is going to be signing up anyone for $18 a month internet.”
It’s been a gamechanger for many residents.
Thea Duckett and Gwendolyn Chapman both switched to DigitalC in the past year or two.
“I can put more gas in my car,” Duckett told Scene. She laughed. “Or, pay another bill or treat myself out to a $20 meal.”
“And if you have problems with your computer, you can take it down there” to their Midtown office, Chapman said. “They straighten it out for you.”
“Help you navigate your cell phone, too,” Duckett said.
All on speeds that work for what people need.
“Netflix will not work if it’s slow,” Stewart said. “And Netflix works just fine.”
Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
