Tech Goes Home, a digital-inclusion nonprofit, asked the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means for a $1,000,000 annual commitment to sustain and expand its services after changes to PEG funding made the organization ineligible for prior support.

Marvin Venet, chief external affairs and advocacy at Tech Goes Home, told the committee the organization has provided devices, affordable internet and training to tens of thousands of residents over 25 years. Venet said Tech Goes Home previously received $1,000,000 annually in PEG funding from 2015–2022 and $2,000,000 in ARPA funding in 2022; those resources helped the group scale. Last year the organization served more than 4,000 learners but said it turned away about 1,400 residents due to limited resources.

“We must ask now to ensure the generation of Bostonians are not left behind by the technological changes such as AI,” Venet said, asking the council to consider recommitting $1,000,000 in annual funding to support device access, affordable internet and culturally relevant training in residents’ native languages.

Councilors acknowledged the request and noted digital-equity investments intersect with workforce development and other budget priorities; no appropriation was made at the hearing and the request will be reviewed as part of the FY26 budget process.