Wednesday, November 10, 1999
Bank largess leads to Internet access
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — Fifth Third Bank opened a “technology zone” Tuesday at Brighton Center's headquarters, providing a new computer and free Internet access to the agency's low-income clients.
The computer is one of more than 200 to be installed at sites throughout Tristate low-income neighborhoods as part of Fifth Third's $9 billion BLITZ (building, lending, investments and technology zones) program.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for us and everyone in our community,” Brighton Center Executive Director Bob Brewster said.
“The Internet will be available to anyone in the community. This enables low-income families to access job application sites, financial information and other opportunities.
“I think we'll probably have a line here most of the time waiting to use the computer.”
Melissa Hall, who is in charge of the Brighton Center programs at the Central Avenue location that includes the new computer, said the computer will be a main part of the center's resource area.
“People can log on and check for jobs, obtain parenting information and help themselves,” Ms. Hall said.
“We want to be as noninvasive as possible. This provides things that people can do for themselves.”
Fifth Third President and Chief Executive Officer George Schaefer Jr. said everyone who has been exposed to the computers seems to like them and is able to make use of the equipment and information.
“Seniors are especially appreciative, and they have the time to spend with a computer and obtain needed information,” Mr. Schaefer said.
“And, of course, the kids just love them, and they learn very quickly how to use the computer.”
He said Fifth Third wants the BLITZ program to “spark community development loans and programs, fund affordable mortgages and small business loans and create computer centers to address the needs of the low- and moderate-income consumer.”
Ms. Hall said the computer will be available at certain times each day, depending on when Brighton Center staff members are available in the resource area on the second floor of the center building.
“We are working on staff schedules so we can have workers available for a few hours each day,” she said. “We also want to be open a couple of hours on Saturday.”
Fifth Third also has provided a computer for the Covington Community Center, and others have been installed in Cincinnati.
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