Open AccessLocal Economic Impacts of Investments in Community Technology Centers: An Empirical Investigation
Author(s) -
Krishna Jayakar,
Jenna Grzeslo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the journal of community informatics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1712-4441
DOI - 10.15353/joci.v13i1.3297
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , demographics , bridging (networking) , digital divide , business , community economic development , broadband , economic impact analysis , economic growth , demographic economics , economics , telecommunications , information and communications technology , demography , political science , engineering , sociology , law , computer network , computer science , microeconomics
Although community technology centers (CTCs) provide a host of services that may have economic consequences, few studies have attempted to empirically assess the impact of CTCs on local communities. Controlling for broadband availability and demographics, this study found that there is a small but positive and significant impact of CTC quality on median household income, at the county level. In addition to bridging the digital divide for disadvantaged populations, our research shows that there are also quantifiable economic benefits from CTC investments.