FORT PIERCE, Fla. – March 29, 2022: The City of Fort Pierce and Comcast have announced the creation of two “Lift Zones” at city facilities. The city and Comcast teamed up to launch these WiFi-connected Lift Zones to provide safe places for people to get online and access the resources of the Internet.
The Lift Zones are located at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center at 902 S 21st Street and the Means Court Center at 532 N 13th Street. The unveiling of the Lift Zone at the Means Court Center coincides with the Ribbon Cutting for the Incubate Neighborhood Center (INC) on April 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. INC is a multi-service community hub that will include an internet café, powered by the Lift Zone.
The COVID-19 crisis put many low-income students and families at risk of being left behind and accelerated the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them. Lift Zones are part of a larger multiyear plan by Comcast to support community-organization-based WiFi at more than 1,000 Lift Zones throughout the country, with nearly 100 already up and running across Florida.
“You need to go online to do so many things these days, including students that need to access virtual classes or information to complete homework assignments or anyone who needs to look for employment or submit a job application,” said Audria Moore-Wells, Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Fort Pierce. “We are grateful for Comcast’s continued commitment to bridging the digital divide for those in need here in Fort Pierce.”
Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program, that offers 50 Mbps internet service for $9.95 a month for qualified households. More than 10 million people in America, including 1.3 million in Florida, have been connected through Internet Essentials since the program began in 2011.
“As one of the world’s largest media and technology companies, Comcast is committed to using our reach and resources to help close the digital divide,” said Carla Roderick, Director of External Affairs and Community Impact for Comcast in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. “Programs like Internet Essentials and Lift Zones are helping to level the playing field and make sure the information and resources on the Internet are available to everyone.”
In addition, Comcast is participating in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Comcast recently launched a new speed tier, Internet Essentials Plus, with 100 Mbps internet service for $29.95 a month. Existing Internet Essentials customers can upgrade to this new, faster tier at any time. Customers who subscribe to Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus and enroll in ACP will have their entire monthly broadband bill covered after the $30 a month ACP credit is applied.