Comcast Launches WiFi-Connected “Lift Zone” in Partnership with the Charleston Digital Corridor Learning Center

Comcast announced today the opening of its newest Xfinity WiFi- connected "Lift Zone" at the Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) Learning Center, located inside the Charleston Tech Center, at 997 Morrison Drive, Suite 200 in Charleston. Lift Zones are safe spaces where communities can learn digital skills and pursue academic, professional and personal advancement.

Comcast also announced a $25,000 grant for the development and promotion of the CDC's Learning Center--the home of the Lift Zone. Over the last four years, Comcast has donated more than $80,000 to the CDC to support their mission of improving economic mobility in Charleston through digital skills training.

"We appreciate Comcast's longstanding dedication in support of Charleston's tech economy," said Ernest Andrade, Executive Director at Charleston Digital Corridor. "Comcast's Lift Zone designation at the CDC Learning Center is sure to have an impact on Charleston residents as they participate in much needed, meaningful digital literacy classes."

Additionally, Comcast donated 25 laptops to students at C.E. Williams Middle School who will attend the CDC Learning Center's "ChatGPT for Students" class.

"Comcast's commitment to Charleston's workforce readiness over the years has had an enormous impact on our community," said Charleston Mayor William S. Cogswell Jr. "I am honored to celebrate with Comcast today as they commemorate the opening of a valuable Lift Zone at Charleston Digital Corridor's Learning Center."

Lift Zones are part of a larger multiyear plan by Comcast to support community-organization based WiFi at more than 1,250 Lift Zones throughout the country -- including South Carolina. Lift Zones are also an extension of the company's longstanding commitment to help connect families to the internet and provide resources to help them take advantage of educational opportunities and the digital economy.

"Comcast remains committed to bridging the digital divide by providing free, robust WiFi access through its Lift Zone initiative," said Mike McArdle, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President. "We are excited to team up with the Charleston Digital Corridor to offer a safe place where local students and families have access to online educational and life resources that are so critical."

Lift Zones complement Comcast's Internet Essentials program, the nation's largest and most successful private-sector low-income broadband adoption program. For more than a decade, Comcast has worked with trusted community partners, businesses and government to help millions of households connect to the Internet and the technology they need to participate in the digital world.

Since launching in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million people to the Internet at home, many for the very first time.