TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Dave Biggers for Louisville Mayor
Policy Area: Technology & Innovation
Last Updated: October 30, 2025
Status: Final Draft

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Louisville is falling behind peer cities in the technology economy and digital infrastructure that drive 21st-century prosperity. While cities like Indianapolis, Nashville, and Austin have built thriving tech sectors through strategic public investment—creating tens of thousands of high-wage jobs and attracting billions in venture capital—Louisville’s tech economy remains underdeveloped, our residents face a persistent digital divide, and our city government operates on outdated technology that fails to serve residents effectively.

The Challenge

Louisville’s technology and innovation crisis shows up in stark numbers:

1. **Underdevelo

ped Tech Economy:** Louisville’s tech sector represents just 3.2% of total employment (vs. 7.8% in Austin, 6.4% in Nashville, 5.1% in Indianapolis)—missing out on an industry where jobs pay 85% above median wage and grew 25% nationally over the past decade.

1. Digital Divide: 91,000 Louisville households (24% of total) lack broadband internet access—with rates reaching 47% in West Louisville neighborhoods—excluding residents from remote work, online education, telehealth, and essential government services increasingly delivered digitally.

2. Tech Workforce Gap: Louisville produces 850 tech graduates annually from UofL, Bellarmine, and Jefferson Community College—but loses 58% of them within 5 years to cities offering better tech job opportunities, venture capital access, and innovation ecosystems.

3. Outdated Government Technology: Louisville Metro’s technology infrastructure is 8-12 years behind peer cities, with residents facing 45-minute average wait times for city services, paper-based processes that should be digital, and no unified digital platform for accessing government—while peer cities offer mobile apps, online permitting, and AI-powered service delivery.

4. Lack of Innovation Infrastructure: Louisville has zero city-funded tech incubators (vs. 7 in Nashville, 4 in Indianapolis), minimal venture capital ($47M annually vs. Nashville’s $3.2B), and no comprehensive strategy to build tech ecosystem—ensuring we remain locked out of the innovation economy driving prosperity elsewhere.

Dave’s Vision

Dave will transform Louisville into a city where technology drives equitable economic development, every resident has access to high-speed internet, city government operates on modern digital infrastructure that serves residents efficiently, and our innovation ecosystem creates pathways to high-wage tech careers for Louisville residents—not just transplants from coastal cities.

Universal Broadband Initiative ($15M annually): Ensure every Louisville household has access to affordable high-speed internet through municipal broadband expansion, digital equity programs, and partnerships—eliminating the digital divide that excludes 91,000 households from economic opportunity.

Louisville Innovation District ($8M annually): Establish innovation district in West Louisville with tech incubators, co-working spaces, maker spaces, and entrepreneurship support—creating 2,000+ tech jobs over 4 years and ensuring innovation economy benefits historically excluded communities.

Tech Talent Pipeline ($6M annually): Create comprehensive pathway from K-12 computer science education through coding bootcamps, apprenticeships, and career placement—training 1,000+ Louisville residents annually for tech careers and retaining local graduates.

Digital Government Transformation ($7M annually): Modernize city technology infrastructure with mobile apps, online services, digital permitting, AI-powered assistance, and unified data systems—reducing wait times from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes and making government accessible 24/7.

Civic Technology & Open Data ($2M annually): Release all non-sensitive city data publicly, support civic tech projects addressing community challenges, and fund technology solutions developed by and for Louisville residents—democratizing innovation.

Budget Impact

This policy requires $38 million in new annual spending—funded through federal broadband grants ($15M), General Fund allocation ($10M), revenue bonds for digital infrastructure ($8M), and partnerships/philanthropy ($5M). Economic analysis projects $266-380M in annual economic returns (7-10x ROI) through tech job creation, productivity gains, business attraction, and cost savings from government efficiency.

Why This Matters

The digital divide is the new economic divide. When 91,000 Louisville households lack internet access, those families are excluded from remote work opportunities, online education, telehealth, and government services. During COVID-19, students without internet fell 6-12 months behind—a learning loss many will never recover. This isn’t about convenience, it’s about economic survival.

Tech jobs are the highest-wage, fastest-growing sector—and we’re missing out. The median tech job pays $89,000 vs. Louisville’s median wage $59,200. Nashville’s tech sector has grown 187% over 10 years, creating 45,000 jobs paying $4.1 billion in annual wages. Louisville’s tech sector grew just 31% over the same period—we’re falling further behind every year we don’t invest.

Outdated government technology costs residents time and money. When Louisville residents spend 45 minutes on hold for city services, wait weeks for permits that should take hours, and drive to government offices for transactions that should be online—that’s time away from work, lost productivity, and a tax on low-income residents who can least afford it.

Innovation drives 21st-century competitiveness. Cities attracting talent and investment are those with vibrant innovation ecosystems—tech incubators, venture capital, startup culture, maker spaces. Louisville’s lack of innovation infrastructure ensures we lose talent to cities that invest—and fall behind in industries defining the future economy.

Dave’s policy will close the digital divide, build a thriving tech sector, modernize government, and create pathways to high-wage tech careers for Louisville residents. It’s about ensuring technology serves everyone, not just the already-connected and affluent.

CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS

Technology Economy Landscape

Louisville’s technology sector lags substantially behind peer cities:

Tech Employment:
– Louisville: 20,400 tech workers (3.2% of workforce)
– Austin: 142,000 tech workers (7.8% of workforce)
– Nashville: 54,000 tech workers (6.4% of workforce)
– Indianapolis: 47,000 tech workers (5.1% of workforce)
– Cincinnati: 38,000 tech workers (4.7% of workforce)

Tech Sector Growth (2013-2023):
– National Average: 25% growth
– Austin: 187% growth
– Nashville: 142% growth
– Indianapolis: 78% growth
– Louisville: 31% growth (dead last among peer cities)

Median Tech Wages:
– Software Developer: $89,400 (vs. $59,200 Louisville median wage—51% premium)
– Data Scientist: $107,600 (82% premium)
– Cybersecurity Analyst: $94,800 (60% premium)
– UX Designer: $78,200 (32% premium)

The Problem: Louisville is producing tech graduates but can’t retain them:

• Annual Tech Graduates: 850 from UofL (580), Bellarmine (120), JCTC (150)
• 5-Year Retention: 42% (vs. 68% in Nashville, 71% in Indianapolis, 79% in Austin)
• Brain Drain: Louisville loses 493 tech graduates annually to other cities (58% of total)
• Reason Cited: Lack of tech job opportunities, limited venture capital ecosystem, absence of innovation culture

Venture Capital & Startup Ecosystem:

Louisville’s venture capital ecosystem is anemic compared to peers:

Innovation Infrastructure Gap:

Louisville lacks the physical and institutional infrastructure that supports tech ecosystems:

• Tech Incubators: 1 (The Ville) vs. Nashville (7), Indianapolis (4), Cincinnati (3)
• Co-Working Spaces: 8 total vs. Nashville (47), Austin (120+)
• Maker Spaces: 3 vs. Indianapolis (9), Austin (22)
• Accelerators: 2 vs. Nashville (11), Austin (25+)
• University Tech Transfer: UofL ranks 147th nationally in commercializing research (vs. Vanderbilt 28th, UT-Austin 12th)

Digital Divide Crisis

The digital divide in Louisville is severe and racially stratified:

Broadband Access by Neighborhood:

Total Affected: 91,000 households (24% of Louisville Metro) lack broadband access meeting FCC minimum standards (25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload).

Racial Disparity:
– White Households: 14% lack broadband
– Black Households: 42% lack broadband
– Hispanic Households: 38% lack broadband
– Income Gap: 58% of households earning <$30K lack broadband vs. 6% earning >$75K

Impacts of Digital Divide:

Education:
– During COVID-19 remote learning, students without home internet fell 6-12 months behind peers
– 34% of JCPS students lack reliable home internet for homework
– Students without internet 27% less likely to attend college

Employment:
– 67% of job applications now online-only—excluding residents without internet
– Remote work (fastest-growing employment category) impossible without broadband
– Workers without internet earn 15-20% less on average due to limited job access

Healthcare:
– Telehealth adoption jumped 3,800% during COVID—but unavailable to 91,000 households
– Patients without internet 40% more likely to miss appointments (can’t access online scheduling)
– Prescription refills, test results increasingly digital—excluding those without access

Government Services:
– Unemployment benefits, food assistance, health insurance increasingly require online applications
– Residents without internet spend average 4.2 hours/month traveling to government offices for services that should be online

Government Technology Deficit

Louisville Metro’s technology infrastructure is severely outdated:

Current State:

Service Delivery:
– Average Phone Wait Time: 45 minutes for 311/Metro Call
– Online Services: Only 23 of 180 city services available online (vs. 87% in Indianapolis, 79% in Austin)
– Mobile App: None (vs. comprehensive apps in Nashville, Indianapolis, Austin allowing permit applications, service requests, bill payment)
– Digital Permitting: Only 12% of permits can be applied for online—rest require in-person visits

Internal Systems:
– IT Infrastructure Age: Average 11 years old (vs. 4-6 years in peer cities)
– Data Integration: 47 separate databases that don’t communicate—requiring manual data re-entry and creating errors
– Cloud Adoption: Only 18% of systems cloud-based (vs. 72% nationally for cities >500K)
– Cybersecurity: Last comprehensive security audit in 2019—leaving city vulnerable to ransomware and data breaches

Cost of Outdated Technology:

• Productivity Loss: City employees spend estimated 28% of time on manual tasks that should be automated—equivalent to $24M in wasted labor annually
• Resident Time Cost: 45-minute wait times × 380,000 annual 311 calls = 285,000 hours of resident time wasted annually (worth $6.8M at median wage)
• Delayed Economic Activity: Slow permitting delays construction projects, business openings—estimated $15-25M in annual economic impact

Peer City Comparison—Digital Government:

Tech Workforce Pipeline Gaps

Louisville’s tech talent pipeline has major gaps from K-12 through career placement:

K-12 Computer Science Education:
– Only 34% of JCPS schools offer computer science courses (vs. 78% nationally in districts >50K students)
– Just 8% of JCPS students take computer science (vs. 22% national average)
– Only 3% of computer science students are Black (vs. 38% Black student population)—massive representation gap
– 67% of schools lack computer science teachers

Post-Secondary:
– Tech Graduates: 850/year from all Louisville institutions combined
– National Demand: 500,000+ tech job openings nationally, far exceeding graduates
– Local Absorption: Louisville tech sector can only absorb ~300 graduates annually—rest leave for other cities

Alternative Pathways:
– Louisville has 2 coding bootcamps (vs. 12 in Nashville, 18 in Austin)
– Zero registered tech apprenticeship programs (vs. 47 in Indianapolis)
– Minimal tech training for career changers or workers displaced by automation

Diversity Gap:

Tech workforce dramatically underrepresents people of color and women:

The Major Problems

1. Digital Divide Perpetuates Economic Inequality

91,000 households without broadband are systematically excluded from economic opportunity:

• Job Access: 67% of jobs require online applications—excluding those without internet
• Remote Work: Fastest-growing job category (22% annual growth) requires broadband—those without internet locked out
• Education: Students without internet fall behind, less likely to attend college, earn lower lifetime wages
• Small Business: Businesses without broadband can’t compete—increasingly reliant on digital marketing, e-commerce, cloud tools

Without intervention, digital divide will widen as more economic activity moves online.

2. Underdeveloped Tech Economy Means Lost High-Wage Jobs

Every year Louisville fails to build tech ecosystem, we lose high-wage job opportunities:

• Wage Premium: Median tech job pays $89,400 vs. $59,200 city median—30% premium
• Job Growth: Tech jobs grew 25% nationally over past decade—Louisville’s 31% growth lags substantially behind Nashville (142%), Austin (187%)
• Brain Drain: Losing 493 tech graduates annually means losing $43.8M in annual wages ($89,400 × 493) to other cities—and all the spending/tax revenue those wages would generate

If Louisville matched Indianapolis tech employment (5.1% vs. current 3.2%), we’d have 12,100 additional tech jobs paying $1.08 billion in additional annual wages.

3. Outdated Government Technology Wastes Time and Money

Every day Louisville operates on 1990s technology, residents and city pay the price:

• Resident Time: 285,000 hours annually wasted waiting for city services (worth $6.8M)
• City Productivity: $24M annually wasted on manual tasks that should be automated
• Economic Delay: $15-25M in annual economic impact lost to slow permitting, outdated systems
• Cybersecurity Risk: Outdated systems vulnerable to ransomware (like 2019 Baltimore attack costing $18M)

Total annual cost of technology deficit: $45-56M—more than what investment in modernization would cost.

4. Lack of Innovation Infrastructure Prevents Startup Growth

Without incubators, venture capital, and ecosystem support, Louisville startups can’t scale:

• VC Gap: Louisville receives $47M annually in venture capital vs. Nashville’s $3.2B—68x difference
• Startup Failure: 73% of Louisville startups fail within 5 years (vs. 61% in cities with robust incubator ecosystems)
• Geographic Mismatch: Louisville’s lone tech incubator is in East End—requiring car access, excluding West Louisville entrepreneurs

Result: Great ideas born in Louisville get developed elsewhere, taking jobs and tax revenue to other cities.

5. Tech Workforce Excludes People of Color and Women

Louisville’s tech sector replicates national diversity crisis:

• Only 7% of tech workers are Black (vs. 24% city population)
• Only 23% are women (vs. 51% population)
• Median Black tech worker earns 18% less than white counterpart in same role

Without intervention, tech economy will be another sector where prosperity bypasses communities of color.

DAVE’S VISION: TECHNOLOGY THAT SERVES EVERYONE

Dave envisions a Louisville where:

Every household has access to affordable high-speed internet, eliminating the digital divide that excludes 91,000 families from economic opportunity, online education, telehealth, and full participation in 21st-century society.

Technology creates pathways to prosperity for Louisville residents—particularly people of color and residents of historically excluded neighborhoods—with comprehensive training from K-12 computer science through coding bootcamps and tech apprenticeships leading to careers paying $80,000+.

Innovation happens everywhere, with tech incubators, maker spaces, and co-working spaces in West Louisville, the South End, and every neighborhood—not just the East End—ensuring all communities can participate in building the future.

City government operates on 21st-century technology, with mobile apps, online services, AI-powered assistance, and unified data systems that make accessing government easy, fast, and available 24/7—not a frustrating ordeal requiring hours of wait time and in-person visits.

Louisville’s tech sector rivals peer cities, attracting venture capital, retaining talented graduates, creating thousands of high-wage jobs, and establishing Louisville as an innovation hub—not a place tech talent flees.

Core Principles

1. Universal Access: High-speed internet is infrastructure as essential as water and electricity—no Louisville resident should be excluded from digital economy.

2. Equity-Centered Innovation: Technology investment must prioritize historically excluded communities—tech economy shouldn’t replicate patterns where prosperity concentrates in wealthy white neighborhoods.

3. Residents First: Technology should serve Louisville residents’ needs, not Silicon Valley investors—we’ll fund solutions to our community challenges, not copycat startups.

4. Open & Transparent: City data and technology should be open and accessible to residents—enabling transparency, accountability, and civic innovation.

5. Workforce Development: Tech investment must include comprehensive pathways for Louisville residents to access tech careers—not just importing talent from elsewhere.

Four-Year Goals

By the end of Dave’s first term:

• Achieve 95%+ broadband access (up from 76%), eliminating digital divide
• Create 2,000+ new tech jobs at median wage $85,000+ (adding $170M in annual wages)
• Train 4,000+ Louisville residents in tech skills from coding to cybersecurity
• Retain 70% of tech graduates (up from 42%), ending brain drain
• Reduce city service wait times from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes through digital transformation
• Bring 80% of city services online (up from 13%), making government accessible 24/7
• Achieve 35% people of color in tech workforce (up from 10%), closing racial representation gap
• Attract $200M+ in annual venture capital (up from $47M), building sustainable innovation ecosystem

DETAILED POLICY PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL 1: Universal Broadband Initiative ($15M annually)

The Problem: 91,000 Louisville households (24%) lack broadband internet access—with rates reaching 47% in West Louisville—excluding residents from remote work, online education, telehealth, and essential government services. This digital divide perpetuates economic inequality and will only worsen as more of economy moves online.

Dave’s Solution:

Launch Universal Broadband Initiative to ensure every Louisville household has access to affordable high-speed internet through municipal broadband expansion, digital equity programs, subsidies, and public-private partnerships—eliminating the digital divide within 4 years.

Program Components:

A. Municipal Broadband Expansion ($8M annually)

Build municipal broadband network in underserved neighborhoods where private ISPs won’t invest:

• Fiber Network Construction: Deploy fiber-optic network in West Louisville, Russell, Portland, Smoketown, South End neighborhoods with <60% broadband access ($25M capital investment over 3 years, $8M annually in Year 1-3, leveraging $75M federal broadband grants)
• Service Area: Target 45,000 households in underserved neighborhoods
• Pricing: $40/month for 100 Mbps symmetrical service (vs. $70-90 for equivalent private service)—with $10/month reduced rate for households earning <150% federal poverty level
• Public Ownership: Network owned by Louisville Metro, operated through partnership/contract—ensuring long-term affordability and community control
• Wireless Coverage: Free public Wi-Fi in 50 high-traffic public spaces (libraries, community centers, parks, transit hubs) for those who can’t afford home service

Model: Chattanooga municipal fiber (serving 180,000 households) generates $60M annual economic impact and attracts tech businesses—while keeping prices 30-40% below private ISPs.

B. Digital Equity Program ($4M annually)

Beyond infrastructure, address barriers to digital adoption:

• Device Program: Provide free refurbished laptops/tablets to 5,000 low-income households annually ($1.5M—average $300/device through partnerships with tech companies, universities donating surplus equipment)
• Digital Literacy Training: Free classes at libraries, community centers teaching basic computer skills, internet safety, online job applications, telehealth access—serving 8,000 residents annually ($1M)
• Tech Support: Establish digital navigator program with 30 community members trained to provide in-home tech support for seniors, immigrants, and others struggling with technology ($900K—$30K/navigator)
• Affordable Service Partnerships: Negotiate with private ISPs to offer $15/month low-income internet plans (leveraging federal Affordable Connectivity Program)—connecting 15,000 households annually ($600K in outreach/enrollment support)

C. Broadband for Multifamily Housing ($2M annually)

Address unique barriers in apartment buildings:

• Building Upgrades: Grants for apartment building owners to install broadband infrastructure in buildings lacking connectivity ($1.2M annually, 40 buildings serving 2,500 units)
• Public Housing: Ensure all Louisville Metro Housing Authority properties have broadband infrastructure and subsidized service ($500K annually)
• Tenant Protection: Prohibit landlords from exclusive ISP agreements that limit tenant choice and drive up prices—enforce competition

D. School & Library Connectivity ($1M annually)

Extend broadband beyond school buildings:

• Homework Hotspots: Provide mobile hotspots to 2,000 JCPS students annually lacking home internet ($600K)
• Library Hours Extension: Fund extended library hours (including evenings/weekends) to provide internet access when working families can use it ($300K)
• Community Center Wi-Fi: Ensure all community centers have high-speed Wi-Fi available free to residents ($100K)

Implementation Timeline:
– Months 1-6: Apply for federal broadband grants, conduct network design for municipal fiber, begin ISP negotiations for affordable plans
– Months 7-12: Award construction contracts, begin fiber deployment in first 3 neighborhoods, launch device program and digital literacy training
– Year 2: Municipal fiber operational in 15 neighborhoods serving 15,000 households, 10,000 devices distributed, 16,000 residents trained
– Year 3: Fiber expansion to additional 20 neighborhoods serving 30,000 additional households, total 45,000 connected to municipal network
– Year 4: 95%+ broadband access achieved citywide, ongoing affordability and digital equity programs

Success Metrics:
– Broadband access rate (Target: 95% by Year 4, up from 76%)
– Access rate in underserved neighborhoods (Target: 85% in West Louisville, up from 53%)
– Municipal fiber households connected (Target: 45,000 by Year 4)
– Devices distributed (Target: 20,000 over 4 years)
– Digital literacy training participants (Target: 32,000 over 4 years)
– Median broadband cost (Target: 25% reduction through municipal competition)

Peer City Examples:
– Chattanooga, TN: Municipal fiber serving 180,000 households has generated $2.69 billion in economic impact over 10 years—$1B in business attraction, $865M in job creation
– Wilson, NC: Municipal broadband in low-income city has achieved 94% adoption, created 200 jobs, attracted tech businesses
– Lafayette, LA: Municipal fiber saves residents average $600/year vs. private ISPs while delivering faster speeds

PROPOSAL 2: Louisville Innovation District ($8M annually)

The Problem: Louisville lacks innovation infrastructure (tech incubators, co-working spaces, maker spaces) that supports startup growth and tech ecosystem development. Our single tech incubator is in the East End, excluding West Louisville entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Nashville has 7 incubators, Indianapolis has 4—and both attract 10-60x more venture capital than Louisville.

Dave’s Solution:

Establish Louisville Innovation District anchored in West Louisville with satellite locations citywide—providing tech incubators, co-working spaces, maker spaces, entrepreneurship support, and venture capital access to create 2,000+ tech jobs over 4 years while ensuring innovation economy benefits historically excluded communities.

Program Components:

A. West Louisville Innovation Hub ($3.5M annually)

Create flagship innovation center in West Louisville:

• Facility: Convert 60,000+ sq ft warehouse/industrial building in Russell or Portland into innovation hub ($12M capital investment Year 1, leveraging $8M federal economic development funds; $1.5M annual operations)
• Tech Incubator: 40,000 sq ft incubator with office space for 50 early-stage tech startups—subsidized rent ($15/sq ft vs. market $28), shared conference rooms, high-speed internet
• Maker Space: 10,000 sq ft maker space with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, electronics lab, woodshop—$10/month membership for Louisville residents
• Co-Working Space: 8,000 sq ft co-working space for freelancers, remote workers, early-stage entrepreneurs—$99/month for Louisville residents (vs. $300+ at private co-working spaces)
• Community Tech Center: 2,000 sq ft free computer lab and training space for neighborhood residents

Support Services:
– Mentorship: Connect entrepreneurs with successful tech founders, business leaders for guidance
– Pitch Practice: Weekly pitch events where entrepreneurs present to potential investors, get feedback
– Technical Assistance: Staff business development specialists providing free consulting on business planning, fundraising, product development
– Legal/Accounting: Pro bono legal and accounting services through partnerships with law firms, accounting firms

B. Startup Capital Fund ($2M annually)

Address venture capital gap preventing Louisville startups from scaling:

• Seed Grants: $25,000-$100,000 equity-free grants for early-stage Louisville startups (30 grants annually)
• Matching Investment: $100,000-$500,000 matching investment for startups that have attracted private VC—city provides $1 for every $2 of private investment (10 startups annually)
• Revenue-Based Financing: Alternative to equity investment—startups repay loan as % of revenue until 1.5x principal repaid, then no further obligation (lower-risk for entrepreneurs than giving up equity)
• Priority: 50% of funding reserved for entrepreneurs of color, women entrepreneurs, and startups addressing community challenges (not just copycat consumer apps)

C. Satellite Innovation Centers ($1.5M annually)

Expand innovation infrastructure citywide:

• Neighborhood Maker Spaces: Establish maker spaces in 4 additional neighborhoods (South End, Smoketown, Shively, Newburg)—2,000 sq ft each with 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics ($300K capital each, $75K annual operations each = $300K annually after Year 1 buildout)
• University Partnerships: Co-locate innovation spaces at UofL, Bellarmine, Simmons College connecting students to entrepreneurship ($400K annually supporting 3 locations)
• Library Innovation Labs: Equip 6 library branches with maker space equipment and entrepreneurship resources ($100K annually)

D. Tech Entrepreneurship Training ($1M annually)

Train Louisville residents to start tech businesses:

• Startup Academy: 12-week intensive program teaching tech entrepreneurship—business model development, customer discovery, product development, fundraising (100 participants annually, $400K)
• Women in Tech Fellowship: 6-month program supporting women entrepreneurs building tech startups with training, mentorship, and $15K stipends (30 participants annually, $450K)
• Youth Entrepreneurship: Summer tech entrepreneurship program for 200 high school students—learn coding, design thinking, pitch development ($150K)

Implementation Timeline:
– Months 1-6: Acquire building for West Louisville Innovation Hub, issue RFP for hub operations, establish Startup Capital Fund governance
– Months 7-12: Begin West Louisville hub renovation, launch first Startup Academy cohort, award first $1M in seed grants to 20 startups
– Year 2: West Louisville Innovation Hub opens with 30 startups, 200 co-working members, 500 maker space users; first satellite maker spaces open
– Years 3-4: Scale to 50 startups in hub, 4 satellite maker spaces operational, $2M annually in startup capital deployed

Success Metrics:
– Startups supported (Target: 200 over 4 years)
– Tech jobs created (Target: 2,000 jobs at median $85K wage)
– Venture capital attracted (Target: $200M over 4 years, up from current $47M/year)
– Entrepreneurs of color supported (Target: 50% of participants)
– West Louisville entrepreneurs (Target: 35% of participants from West Louisville zip codes)
– Startup survival rate (Target: 50% still operating after 5 years, vs. current 27%)

Peer City Examples:
– Nashville Entrepreneur Center: $4M annual budget has supported 1,200+ startups creating 8,500 jobs and attracting $2.1B in venture capital over 10 years—15x return on public investment
– Indianapolis 16 Tech Innovation District: $300M public-private investment has attracted 50 tech companies, created 3,500 jobs, and spurred $150M in additional private investment
– Greenville, SC NEXT Innovation Center: Located in historically Black neighborhood, has supported 180 entrepreneurs of color creating 450 jobs—demonstrating innovation infrastructure can drive equity

PROPOSAL 3: Tech Talent Pipeline ($6M annually)

The Problem: Louisville’s tech workforce pipeline has gaps from K-12 through career placement—only 34% of schools offer computer science, just 42% of tech graduates stay in Louisville, and people of color and women are dramatically underrepresented in tech. Meanwhile, peer cities invest heavily in tech training and retain graduates at much higher rates.

Dave’s Solution:

Create comprehensive Tech Talent Pipeline from K-12 computer science education through coding bootcamps, tech apprenticeships, and career placement—training 1,000+ Louisville residents annually for tech careers while prioritizing diversity and local retention.

Program Components:

A. K-12 Computer Science Initiative ($2M annually)

Expand computer science education in JCPS:

• CS Teacher Training: Train 100 existing teachers annually in computer science instruction through partnerships with Code.org, UofL College of Education ($600K—includes stipends, curriculum, ongoing support)
• CS Course Expansion: Fund computer science courses in 40 additional JCPS schools annually—providing curriculum, equipment, software licenses (target: 100% of schools offering CS by Year 4) ($800K)
• After-School Coding Clubs: Support coding clubs in 50 schools serving 1,500 students annually—with focus on middle schools to build interest before high school ($300K)
• AP Computer Science Exam Fee Waivers: Cover exam fees for all low-income students taking AP Computer Science ($100K annually, ~500 students)
• Summer Coding Camps: Free 2-week coding camps for 500 middle/high school students annually—with 60% slots reserved for students of color, girls ($200K)

Target: Increase JCPS computer science participation from 8% to 35% of students by Year 4, with proportional participation by race/gender.

B. Coding Bootcamp Scholarships ($1.5M annually)

Make coding bootcamps accessible to career changers and low-income residents:

• Full Scholarships: Cover $12,000-$16,000 tuition for 100 Louisville residents annually to attend coding bootcamps (UofL Code Louisville, Awesome Inc., Code Kentucky, or other accredited programs)
• Living Stipends: Provide $1,500/month stipends during 3-month intensive bootcamps so participants can focus on learning without working second jobs ($450K for 100 participants)
• Priority: 60% of scholarships reserved for people of color, women, and West Louisville residents
• Outcome Requirement: Bootcamps must achieve 75% job placement rate within 6 months at $55K+ salaries to remain eligible for scholarship partnerships

C. Tech Apprenticeship Program ($1.5M annually)

Create earn-while-you-learn pathways into tech careers:

• Registered Apprenticeships: Establish Department of Labor-registered apprenticeships in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support—combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction
• Employer Partnerships: Partner with 30 Louisville tech employers and tech departments of major companies (UPS, Humana, YUM!, Brown-Forman) to host apprentices
• Cohort Size: 150 apprentices enrolled annually across all programs
• Wage Progression: Apprentices start at $18/hour (42K annually), progress to $30/hour ($62,400 annually) by completion of 2-year programs—earning while learning
• City Wage Subsidy: City reimburses 50% of apprentice wages Year 1, 25% Year 2 to encourage employer participation ($750K annually)
• Wraparound Support: Childcare assistance, transportation support, mentorship for apprentices ($200K)

D. Tech Career Services ($1M annually)

Ensure training leads to job placement and retention:

• Career Coaching: One-on-one career coaching for 400 tech training program participants annually—resume review, interview prep, salary negotiation, job search strategy ($300K)
• Employer Connections: Host quarterly tech hiring fairs connecting Louisville tech employers with local talent ($100K)
• Job Placement Incentives: $2,500 bonuses to employers hiring Louisville tech training graduates at $55K+ wages—incentivizing local hiring over importing talent ($500K, 200 placements annually)
• Retention Support: 2-year mentorship and professional development for tech graduates to ensure retention and career advancement ($100K)

Implementation Timeline:
– Months 1-4: Train first cohort of 25 CS teachers, establish bootcamp scholarship application process, begin employer outreach for apprenticeships
– Months 5-8: CS courses launch in 25 additional schools, first 50 bootcamp scholars enrolled, apprenticeship program designed
– Months 9-12: First bootcamp cohort graduates and placed in jobs, first 50 apprentices begin programs, summer coding camps serve 500 students
– Years 2-4: Scale to 100 CS teachers trained annually, 100 bootcamp scholars, 150 apprentices, 1,000+ total trained annually

Success Metrics:
– K-12 CS participation (Target: 35% of students by Year 4, up from 8%)
– CS participation diversity (Target: Match overall student demographics—38% Black, 50% female)
– Bootcamp graduates (Target: 400 over 4 years)
– Tech apprentices (Target: 600 over 4 years)
– Job placement rate (Target: 80% placed in tech jobs within 6 months)
– Starting wages (Target: $60K median starting wage)
– Retention rate (Target: 75% still in tech careers after 3 years)
– People of color in training (Target: 60% of participants)

Peer City Examples:
– Nashville Software School: Coding bootcamp with 78% job placement rate and $58K median starting salary—city partnership provides scholarships for 100 residents annually
– Indianapolis Tech apprenticeship program: 520 apprentices since 2018 with 87% completion rate and median wage $64K post-program
– Austin CodeUp: Free bootcamp for underrepresented groups has graduated 400+ developers (65% people of color, 45% women) with 82% placement rate

PROPOSAL 4: Digital Government Transformation ($7M annually)

The Problem: Louisville Metro’s technology infrastructure is 8-12 years behind peer cities, forcing residents to endure 45-minute wait times, in-person visits for services that should be online, and paper-based processes. This costs residents time, costs the city productivity, and makes government inaccessible—particularly to working families who can’t take time off to visit government offices during business hours.

Dave’s Solution:

Launch Digital Government Transformation to modernize city technology infrastructure with mobile apps, online services, digital permitting, AI-powered assistance, and unified data systems—reducing wait times from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes and making government accessible 24/7.

Program Components:

A. Louisville Mobile App & Online Services Portal ($2.5M Year 1, $1M ongoing)

Create unified digital platform for all city services:

• Mobile App: Develop Louisville Metro mobile app (iOS/Android) allowing residents to:
• Pay bills (property tax, water, parking tickets)
• Request services (potholes, streetlight repairs, code enforcement)
• Apply for permits (building, zoning, business licenses)
• Schedule appointments (inspections, meetings with city staff)
• Track service requests in real-time

• Receive notifications about city services, emergencies, events

• Web Portal: Companion website with same functionality for desktop users

• Language Access: App/portal available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Vietnamese—Louisville’s 5 most common languages
• Accessibility: Full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for residents with disabilities
• Payment Options: Accept credit/debit cards, ACH, mobile wallets—ending requirement to mail checks or visit in person

Development: Partner with proven civic tech platform (like OpenGov, SeeClickFix, or Civitech) for $1.5M initial development, $500K customization, $1M annual licensing/updates.

B. Digital Permitting System ($2M Year 1, $800K ongoing)

Modernize permitting to enable online applications and fast processing:

• Online Applications: Allow all permits (building, electrical, plumbing, zoning, business licenses, special events) to be applied for online with document upload
• Automated Review: Use AI to automatically review standard permits for code compliance—flagging issues for human review, auto-approving compliant applications
• Real-Time Status: Applicants can track permit status in real time, receive notifications when ready for pickup or approved
• Digital Inspections: Inspectors use tablets with digital forms, photos, GPS—data automatically integrated into permitting system
• E-Signature: Allow applicants to sign documents electronically, eliminating need for in-person signatures

Impact: Reduce permitting time from average 18 days to under 5 days for standard permits—attracting business investment and residential construction.

C. AI-Powered Virtual Assistant ($1.5M Year 1, $500K ongoing)

Deploy AI assistant to answer common questions and route complex inquiries:

• Chatbot: AI-powered chatbot on city website and in mobile app answering common questions 24/7—”When is trash pickup?”, “How do I pay a parking ticket?”, “What permits do I need for home renovation?”
• Voice Assistant: Phone-based AI assistant for residents calling 311—handles simple requests (schedule bulk item pickup, report pothole) and routes complex issues to human staff
• Multilingual: Supports English, Spanish, and 3 additional languages
• Learning System: AI learns from interactions, continuously improving accuracy

Impact: Handle 60-70% of routine inquiries via AI, freeing human staff for complex cases—reducing wait times from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes.

D. Unified Data Platform ($2M Year 1, $500K ongoing)

Integrate Louisville Metro’s 47 separate databases into unified system:

• Data Integration: Connect permitting, 311, finance, public works, police, fire, health into single data warehouse—eliminating manual re-entry and errors
• Resident Portal: Residents have single account showing all interactions with city—permits, service requests, bills, violations, appointments
• Analytics: City leaders can analyze data across departments to identify trends, improve services, allocate resources
• API Access: Provide API access for civic tech developers to build applications using city data

E. Cybersecurity Upgrades ($1M annually)

Protect city systems and resident data from cyber threats:

• Security Audit: Comprehensive penetration testing and vulnerability assessment ($200K Year 1)
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Replace outdated systems with security vulnerabilities ($400K annually)
• Monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring and incident response ($200K annually)
• Training: Cybersecurity training for all city employees ($100K annually)
• Incident Response Plan: Detailed plan for responding to ransomware, data breaches, etc. ($100K Year 1)

Implementation Timeline:
– Months 1-3: Issue RFPs for mobile app, permitting system, AI assistant, data platform
– Months 4-9: Development begins, conduct user testing with residents, cybersecurity audit
– Months 10-12: Soft launch of mobile app and permitting system with 20% of services, AI assistant pilot
– Year 2: Mobile app expanded to 60% of services, digital permitting fully operational, AI handling 50% of routine inquiries
– Year 3: 80% of services available online/via app, unified data platform operational
– Year 4: Full digital transformation complete, 24/7 access to all city services

Success Metrics:
– Services available online (Target: 80% by Year 4, up from 13%)
– Mobile app downloads (Target: 150,000—25% of adult residents)
– Average wait time for city services (Target: <5 minutes, down from 45 minutes)
– Permits processed digitally (Target: 95% by Year 4)
– Resident satisfaction with digital services (Target: 80% satisfied)
– Time to process standard permits (Target: <5 days, down from 18 days)
– Cost savings from automation (Target: $8M annually by Year 4 from productivity gains)

Peer City Examples:
– Indianapolis: Mobile app has 180,000 downloads (20% of adult population), handles 400,000 service requests annually, reduced wait times from 35 minutes to 4 minutes
– Austin: Digital permitting reduced average permitting time from 22 days to 7 days, generating $45M in annual economic impact from faster project approvals
– Seattle: AI-powered virtual assistant handles 68% of routine inquiries, saving $3.2M annually in staff time while improving satisfaction

PROPOSAL 5: Civic Technology & Open Data ($2M annually)

The Problem: City data is trapped in silos, inaccessible to residents who could use it to solve community problems. Meanwhile, peer cities have vibrant civic tech communities building apps and tools that make government more transparent, efficient, and responsive—but Louisville lacks infrastructure to support civic innovation.

Dave’s Solution:

Launch Civic Technology & Open Data Program that releases all non-sensitive city data publicly, supports civic tech projects addressing community challenges, and funds technology solutions developed by and for Louisville residents—democratizing innovation.

Program Components:

A. Open Data Portal ($500K Year 1, $200K ongoing)

Make all city data publicly accessible:

• Data Portal: Launch open data portal (using Socrata, CKAN, or similar platform) publishing all non-sensitive city data—budgets, permits, crime stats, 311 requests, traffic data, health data, etc.
• Data Standards: Adopt open data standards ensuring data is machine-readable and usable by developers
• API Access: Provide APIs allowing developers to access real-time city data programmatically
• Data Governance: Establish open data policy requiring all departments to publish data quarterly, with privacy protections
• Public Dashboard: Create public dashboards visualizing key city metrics—crime trends, pothole response times, budget spending, etc.

B. Civic Tech Grants ($800K annually)

Fund technology projects addressing Louisville challenges:

• Micro-Grants: $5,000-$25,000 grants for civic hackers, nonprofits, and community groups building tech solutions to Louisville problems (30 grants annually)
• Example Projects:
• Transit app showing real-time TARC arrivals
• Tool helping residents find affordable housing
• Platform connecting residents to social services
• App helping small businesses navigate city permitting
• Neighborhood air quality monitoring network
• Open Source Requirement: All funded projects must release code as open source so other cities can benefit
• Community-Led: Priority to projects led by Louisville residents solving problems they personally experience

C. Civic Tech Fellowship ($400K annually)

Recruit tech talent to work on government challenges:

• Code for Louisville Fellowship: 10 technologists annually spend 12 months embedded in city departments building technology solutions—paid $60,000 stipend + benefits ($400K total)
• Projects: Fellows work on high-priority challenges identified by city departments and community—digital equity, data integration, service delivery improvements
• Talent Pipeline: Fellowship serves as recruitment pipeline for permanent city tech positions
• Knowledge Transfer: Fellows train city staff on modern technology practices

D. Civic Hackathons & Community Engagement ($300K annually)

Build civic tech community and engage residents in innovation:

• Quarterly Hackathons: 4 weekend hackathons annually bringing together developers, designers, community members to build solutions to Louisville challenges (100 participants each, $100K)
• Neighborhood Tech Workshops: 20 workshops annually in neighborhoods teaching residents how to use open data, build simple civic tools ($100K)
• Annual Civic Tech Summit: Conference bringing together 500 civic technologists, government officials, community leaders to share innovations ($100K)

Implementation Timeline:
– Months 1-6: Launch open data portal with first 50 datasets, issue first civic tech grant RFP, recruit first fellowship cohort
– Months 7-12: Award first $400K in civic tech grants, fellows begin work, first 2 hackathons held
– Years 2-4: Expand open data to 300+ datasets, fund 120 civic tech projects, 40 fellows complete programs

Success Metrics:
– Open datasets published (Target: 300+ by Year 4)
– Open data portal usage (Target: 50,000 unique users annually)
– Civic tech projects funded (Target: 120 over 4 years)
– Civic tech projects still operating (Target: 60% still operating after 3 years)
– Hackathon participants (Target: 2,000 over 4 years)
– Apps/tools built using city data (Target: 80+ over 4 years)

Peer City Examples:
– Chicago: Open data portal has 1,000+ datasets, used by 200,000 people annually, spawned 300+ civic apps including crime mapping, transit tracking, and food inspection tools
– New York City: Civic tech grants have funded 200+ projects including NYC311 mobile app (2M+ users), school finder tool (used by 80% of families), and election polling place locator
– Oakland: Civic tech fellowship has placed 50 technologists in city departments over 5 years, building tools that saved $12M in productivity gains

BUDGET SUMMARY

Total Annual Investment: $38 Million

Funding Sources Detail

Federal Broadband Grants ($12M annually):

Leverage federal broadband funding programs:

• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): $42.5 billion nationally for broadband expansion—Louisville eligible for $30-50M over 5 years
• NTIA grants: Various National Telecommunications and Information Administration programs for digital equity
• Conservative Estimate: $12M annually available through federal sources for Louisville broadband projects

Federal Workforce Grants ($2M annually):

Department of Labor grants for tech workforce training:

• WIOA funds: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds for career training
• Apprenticeship grants: Federal support for registered apprenticeships
• NSF grants: National Science Foundation grants for K-12 STEM education

Revenue Bonds ($7M annually):

Issue revenue bonds for digital infrastructure investment:

• Digital Government Infrastructure: $4M annually for government IT modernization
• Innovation District Capital: $3M annually for facility development
• Repayment: Bonds repaid from efficiency savings ($3M annually from digital government productivity gains) and economic development revenue (taxes from new tech businesses)
• 20-year bonds: Total $140M in infrastructure investment repaid over 20 years

General Fund Allocation ($13M annually):

New General Fund spending:

• Universal Broadband: $3M (supplementing $12M federal funds)
• Innovation District: $2M (operations and startup capital)
• Tech Talent Pipeline: $4M (supplementing $2M federal workforce funds)
• Digital Government: $2M (supplementing $4M revenue bonds, $1M efficiency savings)
• Civic Tech & Open Data: $2M

Increase: From current minimal tech investment to $13M—still modest compared to tech investment payoff.

Corporate & Philanthropic Partnerships ($3M annually):

Leverage private sector support:

• Corporate Innovation Partnerships: Major Louisville employers (UPS, Humana, YUM!, Brown-Forman) invest in innovation district as talent pipeline—$2M annually
• Foundation Grants: National and local foundations supporting digital equity, innovation, entrepreneurship—$1M annually

Efficiency Savings ($1M annually):

Digital government generates savings that offset costs:

• Year 1: $2M in savings from automation and productivity gains
• Year 2: $4M in savings
• Year 3: $6M in savings
• Year 4: $8M in savings
• Conservative: Budget only $1M in Year 1, though actual savings will be much higher

Budget Impact on Louisville Metro

Total New Investment: $38M annually represents 3.7% of Louisville Metro $1.2 billion General Fund budget.

Combined Policy Spending (Policies #1-11):
– Total across all 11 policies: $501.5M annually
– Percentage of General Fund: 48.9%
– Remaining capacity: $523.5M for existing operations and future priorities

Revenue Generation & Economic Returns:

This policy generates substantial economic returns through multiple channels:

Direct Economic Impact:
– Tech Job Creation: 2,000 jobs × $85K median wage = $170M in annual wages
– Startup Growth: $200M annual VC attraction (vs. current $47M) generates estimated $400-600M in economic activity
– Broadband Economic Impact: Research shows municipal broadband generates 4-8x economic return—$60-120M annually on $15M investment
– Total Direct Impact: $630-890M annually

Tax Revenue Generated:
– Income Tax: $170M in tech wages × 1.45% occupational tax = $2.5M
– Property Tax: Tech sector growth increases commercial property values—estimated $3-5M in additional property tax
– Business Taxes: New tech businesses generate $2-4M in annual business license and net profits taxes
– Total Tax Revenue: $7.5-11.5M annually

Efficiency Gains:
– Digital Government Savings: $8M annually by Year 4 from productivity gains, reduced manual processes
– Resident Time Savings: 280,000 hours annually × $24/hour = $6.7M in resident time value saved

Total Annual Economic Benefit: $266-380M (7-10x return on $38M investment)

Net Fiscal Impact: Costs $38M in direct spending, generates $15.5-19.5M in tax revenue and efficiency savings annually, plus $630-890M in broader economic impact—strongly positive return on investment.

Distribution by Focus Area

Equity Allocation

60% of funding ($23M) prioritizes historically underserved communities:

• Universal Broadband: 100% focused on closing digital divide affecting primarily low-income communities and communities of color ($15M)
• Innovation District: West Louisville-anchored with 50% participation targets for entrepreneurs of color ($4M of $8M)
• Tech Talent Pipeline: 60% of training slots reserved for people of color and women ($3.6M of $6M)
• Digital Government: Benefits all residents equally, particularly those currently excluded from government access ($0 equity-specific)
• Civic Tech: 50% of grants to projects led by residents of underserved communities ($1M of $2M)

This ensures technology investment corrects historic inequities rather than creating new digital divides.

FOUR-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Year 1: Foundation & Early Wins

Months 1-3: Planning & Partnerships
– Apply for $30M in federal broadband infrastructure grants
– Issue RFPs for mobile app, digital permitting system, AI virtual assistant
– Acquire building for West Louisville Innovation Hub
– Establish Startup Capital Fund and civic tech grant program
– Train first cohort of 25 CS teachers

Months 4-6: Program Launches
– Award mobile app and permitting system contracts, begin development
– Begin West Louisville Innovation Hub renovation
– Launch first coding bootcamp scholarship cohort (50 participants)
– Award first $1M in startup seed grants to 20 Louisville startups
– Launch open data portal with first 50 datasets

Months 7-9: Implementation Accelerates
– Begin municipal broadband fiber deployment in 3 neighborhoods
– Mobile app soft launch with 20% of city services
– Launch device distribution program (1,000 laptops to low-income households)
– First 25 tech apprentices begin earn-while-you-learn programs
– First civic hackathon (100 participants)

Months 10-12: First Results
– Municipal fiber operational in first neighborhood (5,000 households)
– Digital permitting system launches for building permits
– AI virtual assistant pilot on 311 line (handling 40% of calls)
– West Louisville Innovation Hub 50% construction complete
– First coding bootcamp cohort graduates, 80% placed in tech jobs

Year 1 Outcomes:
– 5,000 households connected to municipal broadband
– 2,000 devices distributed to low-income residents
– 1,500 residents trained in digital literacy
– Mobile app handling 25,000 transactions/month
– 20 startups funded with $1M in seed capital
– 75 residents enrolled in tech training (bootcamps, apprenticeships)
– Average 311 wait time reduced from 45 to 20 minutes

Year 2: Scaling & Momentum

Broadband:
– Municipal fiber expands to 10 additional neighborhoods (20,000 households total)
– 5,000 more devices distributed
– Digital navigator program launches with 30 navigators providing in-home tech support
– Broadband access rate increases to 85% (from 76% baseline)

Innovation:
– West Louisville Innovation Hub opens with 30 startups, 150 co-working members, 300 maker space users
– First satellite maker space opens in South End
– $2M in startup capital deployed to 30 startups
– First 10 startups receive matching venture capital investment

Tech Workforce:
– 100 residents in coding bootcamp scholarships
– 75 apprentices in tech apprenticeship programs (total 100 enrolled over 2 years)
– Computer science courses expand to 60 JCPS schools (from 35 baseline + 25 Year 1)
– 1,200 students participate in summer coding camps

Digital Government:
– 60% of city services available via mobile app
– Digital permitting operational for all permit types
– AI virtual assistant handling 60% of routine 311 inquiries
– Average wait time reduced to 8 minutes

Year 2 Metrics:
– 20,000 households with municipal broadband
– 250 tech training participants (bootcamps, apprenticeships)
– 60 startups funded since program launch
– 400 jobs created in tech sector
– Mobile app 80,000 downloads
– Permit processing time reduced from 18 to 10 days

Year 3: Maturity & Expansion

Broadband:
– Municipal fiber reaches 35,000 households total
– Broadband access rate reaches 92% citywide
– 15,000 total devices distributed
– Free public Wi-Fi in 50 high-traffic locations

Innovation:
– West Louisville Innovation Hub supports 40 startups
– 4 satellite maker spaces operational citywide
– Cumulative $5M in startup capital deployed
– Annual VC attraction reaches $120M (vs. $47M baseline)

Tech Workforce:
– 100 bootcamp scholars and 150 apprentices annually (total 850 trained over 3 years)
– CS courses in 85 JCPS schools (90% coverage)
– CS participation reaches 25% of students (vs. 8% baseline)
– Tech graduate retention increases to 60% (vs. 42% baseline)

Digital Government:
– 75% of services available online/via app
– Mobile app 120,000 downloads (20% of adult residents)
– Unified data platform operational connecting all 47 databases
– Average wait time reduced to 6 minutes
– Cybersecurity infrastructure fully upgraded

Year 3 Metrics:
– 35,000 households with municipal broadband (92% access rate)
– 850 residents trained in tech skills
– 500 new tech jobs created (cumulative 900)
– 90 startups funded
– $120M in annual VC attraction
– City saves $5M annually from digital efficiency

Year 4: Goals Achieved & Sustainability

Broadband:
– Municipal fiber reaches 45,000 households
– 95%+ broadband access achieved citywide
– Digital divide eliminated for all practical purposes
– 20,000 total devices distributed over 4 years

Innovation:
– West Louisville Innovation Hub supports 50 startups
– 5 satellite locations citywide
– Cumulative $8M in startup capital deployed to 120 startups
– Annual VC attraction reaches $200M (4.3x baseline)
– Louisville recognized regionally as emerging tech hub

Tech Workforce:
– 100 bootcamp scholars and 150 apprentices annually (total 1,000/year trained)
– 100% of JCPS schools offering computer science
– CS participation reaches 35% of students with proportional diversity
– Tech graduate retention reaches 70% (ending brain drain)
– 4,000 total residents trained over 4 years

Digital Government:
– 80% of services available online/via app
– Mobile app 150,000 downloads (25% of adult population)
– Average wait time under 5 minutes (90% reduction from 45-minute baseline)
– Permit processing under 5 days (72% reduction from 18 days)
– City saves $8M annually from automation and productivity gains

Metrics Achieved:
– Broadband Access: 95%+ (up from 76%)
– Tech Jobs Created: 2,000+ (at median $85K wage)
– Tech Graduates Retained: 70% (up from 42%)
– VC Attraction: $200M annually (up from $47M)
– Residents Trained: 4,000 over 4 years
– City Service Wait Time: <5 minutes (down from 45 minutes)
– Online Services: 80% (up from 13%)
– Tech Workforce Diversity: 35% people of color (up from 10%)

Long-Term Sustainability (Years 5-10)

Self-Sustaining Systems:

1. Municipal Broadband: Generates $18-25M annually in revenue (45,000 households × $40/month average), covering $8M annual operating costs plus bond debt service—becomes revenue-positive asset for city

2. Innovation District: Successful startups exit/scale, creating venture capital returns that replenish startup fund—becomes self-sustaining ecosystem with private investment replacing public seed funding

3. Digital Government: $8M+ annual efficiency savings fund ongoing technology upgrades without additional appropriations—system pays for itself

4. Tech Workforce Pipeline: As tech sector grows to 5%+ of economy, employers fund increased share of training through apprenticeship wage subsidies and tuition assistance—public investment catalyzes private investment

Economic Transformation:

• Tech Sector Growth: Louisville tech employment reaches 5% of workforce (31,750 jobs vs. current 20,400)—creating 11,350 net new jobs paying $963M in annual wages
• Startup Ecosystem: 300+ startups created over 10 years, 120 still operating, several achieving major exits and generating venture returns
• Broadband Economy: Universal broadband enables 8,000+ remote workers, 2,000+ home-based businesses generating $180M+ in economic activity
• Government Efficiency: Digital transformation generates $100M+ in cumulative savings over 10 years, allowing reinvestment in community priorities
• Louisville Brand: City recognized nationally as emerging tech hub, attracting talent and investment—reversing decades of brain drain

By Year 10:
– Louisville tech sector matches peer city levels (5% of workforce vs. current 3.2%)
– Digital divide permanently eliminated through universal broadband infrastructure
– City government operates on cutting-edge technology delivering world-class service
– Innovation ecosystem self-sustaining with robust private venture capital and thriving startup community
– Louisville competes with Nashville, Indianapolis, Austin for tech talent and investment—no longer falling behind

SUCCESS METRICS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Dave’s Technology & Innovation policy will be evaluated on measurable outcomes showing technology serves everyone—not just the already connected. Quarterly public reports will track progress toward these goals:

Digital Access & Equity Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– Broadband access rate: 76% → 95%+ of households
– West Louisville broadband access: 53% → 90%+
– Median broadband cost: $70/month → $50/month (29% reduction through municipal competition)
– Devices distributed: 0 → 20,000 laptops/tablets to low-income households
– Digital literacy trained: 0 → 32,000 residents over 4 years
– Racial broadband gap: 28 points (42% Black vs. 14% white lacking access) → <10 points

Data Collection: Annual household broadband survey, census data analysis, ISP reporting, device distribution tracking

Technology Economy Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– Tech sector employment: 20,400 jobs (3.2%) → 22,400+ jobs (3.5%+), adding 2,000 net new jobs
– Median tech wage: $89,400 → $92,000+ (adjusted for inflation, maintaining premium vs. median wage)
– Tech graduate retention: 42% → 70% (5-year retention)
– Annual venture capital: $47M → $200M+ (4.3x increase)
– Tech startups: 380 → 500+ active startups (120 net new)
– Tech sector wages: $1.82B → $2B+ annually (adding $170M+ in wages)

Data Collection: Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Pitchbook VC tracking, startup ecosystem surveys, graduate tracking studies

Innovation Infrastructure Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– Tech incubators: 1 → 6 (West Louisville hub + 5 satellites)
– Startups supported: ~40/year → 200+ over 4 years
– Startup capital deployed: ~$5M/year private only → $8M public over 4 years + $25M+ private leveraged
– Maker space users: ~300/year → 3,000/year
– Co-working members: ~200 → 800+
– Startup survival rate: 27% (5-year) → 50%+

Data Collection: Innovation district usage tracking, startup outcome surveys, VC database analysis

Tech Workforce Development Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– K-12 CS participation: 8% of students → 35%
– K-12 CS diversity: 3% Black students in CS (vs. 38% of student body) → 35%+ proportional
– JCPS schools offering CS: 34% → 100%
– Tech training participants: ~100/year → 1,000/year (bootcamps, apprenticeships, etc.)
– Tech training job placement: Varies → 80% placed within 6 months at $55K+
– People of color in tech workforce: 10% → 35% (matching city demographics)
– Women in tech workforce: 23% → 40%

Data Collection: JCPS course enrollment data, training program tracking, employment outcome surveys, demographic workforce analysis

Digital Government Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– Services available online: 13% (23 of 180) → 80% (144 of 180)
– Mobile app downloads: 0 → 150,000 (25% of adult residents)
– Average wait time for city services: 45 minutes → <5 minutes (89% reduction)
– Permit processing time: 18 days average → <5 days (72% reduction)
– Resident satisfaction with city services: 42% → 75%+
– Annual efficiency savings: $0 → $8M by Year 4

Data Collection: Service delivery tracking, mobile app analytics, resident satisfaction surveys, time-motion studies, budget analysis

Civic Technology Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– Open datasets published: ~20 → 300+
– Open data portal users: 0 → 50,000 annually
– Civic tech projects funded: 0 → 120 over 4 years
– Civic apps/tools built: ~5 → 80+ using city data
– Hackathon participants: ~100/year → 500/year
– Civic tech fellows: 0 → 40 over 4 years

Data Collection: Open data portal analytics, grant tracking, civic tech project surveys, hackathon registration

Economic Impact Metrics

Return on Investment:
– City investment: $38M annually
– Economic impact: $266-380M annually (7-10x ROI)
– Tax revenue generated: $7.5-11.5M annually
– Efficiency savings: $8M annually by Year 4
– Net fiscal impact: Strongly positive—generates more revenue than cost

Job Creation:
– Direct tech jobs: 2,000 jobs at $85K median = $170M wages
– Indirect jobs: Estimated 1,500 additional jobs supporting tech sector = $75M wages
– Total job creation: 3,500 jobs, $245M in annual wages

Data Collection: Economic impact studies, fiscal analysis, employment data

Equity & Inclusion Metrics

Baseline → Year 4 Target:
– % tech funding to entrepreneurs of color: ~15% → 50%
– % tech training participants of color: ~25% → 60%
– West Louisville participation in innovation programs: <5% → 35%
– Tech wage racial parity: Black tech workers earn 18% less → Close gap to <5%
– Women tech entrepreneurs funded: ~10% → 40%

Data Collection: Demographic tracking of all program participants, wage analysis by race/gender, geographic participation tracking

Accountability Mechanisms

Public Dashboard:
All metrics published quarterly at tech.louisvilleky.gov/dashboard with:
– Progress toward Year 4 targets (red/yellow/green indicators)
– Spending by program and neighborhood
– Demographic breakdown of participants and beneficiaries
– Economic impact data
– Stories from residents, entrepreneurs, startups served

Independent Evaluation:
– Year 2 Evaluation: Independent assessment of digital divide progress, innovation ecosystem development, workforce training outcomes
– Year 4 Comprehensive Evaluation: Full program evaluation by university researchers measuring all metrics and recommending adjustments

Community Oversight:
– Tech Advisory Board: 15-member board (majority from underserved communities, including tech workers, entrepreneurs, community advocates) with input on major investments
– Quarterly Community Forums: Public forums in council districts reviewing progress, gathering input
– Annual Mayor’s Tech Report: Mayor presents comprehensive progress report to Metro Council and public

Performance-Based Budgeting:
– Continued funding contingent on meeting equity targets and economic impact goals
– Programs failing to achieve 75% of targets subject to redesign or elimination
– High-performing programs receive increased funding to scale

Specific Accountability Commitments:

1. If broadband access doesn’t reach 90% by Year 3, Mayor must present corrective action plan to Council explaining barriers and proposed solutions

2. If tech training doesn’t achieve 55% participation by people of color by Year 2, program redesign required with community input on barriers

3. If digital government doesn’t reduce wait times below 15 minutes by Year 2, CIO position replaced with leader who can deliver results

4. If innovation district doesn’t support 30+ West Louisville entrepreneurs by Year 2, relocate satellite incubator to West Louisville to increase access

Dave commits to ruthless accountability on technology equity. We won’t accept a digital transformation that serves only wealthy, well-connected residents—every resident will benefit from technology investment, or we’ll change approach until they do.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS

This policy connects to the following terms in Dave’s Louisville Voter Education Glossary (available at rundaverun.org/glossary):

• Digital Divide: Gap between those with/without access to high-speed internet and digital devices—24% of Louisville households lack broadband
• Broadband: High-speed internet meeting FCC minimum standards (25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload)—essential for remote work, education, telehealth
• Municipal Broadband: City-owned internet infrastructure providing service directly to residents—typically cheaper and faster than private ISPs
• Tech Sector: Industries including software development, IT services, cybersecurity, data analytics—fastest-growing, highest-wage employment category
• Venture Capital (VC): Investment funding for early-stage companies with high growth potential—Louisville receives $47M annually vs. Nashville’s $3.2B
• Tech Incubator: Facility providing office space, mentorship, and support services for early-stage startups
• Coding Bootcamp: Intensive 3-6 month training program teaching software development skills—alternative to 4-year degree
• Registered Apprenticeship: Department of Labor-certified earn-while-you-learn program combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction
• Digital Literacy: Skills needed to use computers and internet effectively—from basic navigation to online safety
• Open Data: Government data made publicly available in machine-readable formats—enables transparency and civic innovation
• Civic Technology (Civic Tech): Technology developed to improve government services and civic engagement—like apps for reporting potholes or finding polling places
• API (Application Programming Interface): System allowing different software applications to communicate—enables developers to build apps using city data
• Cloud Computing: Delivering IT services (storage, computing, software) over the internet rather than on local servers—more efficient and secure
• Cybersecurity: Protecting computer systems and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access—critical for government
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Computer systems that can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence—like answering questions or analyzing data
• Economic Development Accountability: Requiring businesses receiving public incentives to meet community benefit standards (see )
• Living Wage: Wage sufficient to meet basic needs (see )—tech jobs typically pay well above living wage

For definitions and additional context, visit rundaverun.org/glossary.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why should taxpayers fund free internet when private companies already provide it?

Answer: Because 91,000 Louisville households can’t afford private internet, excluding them from jobs, education, healthcare, and government services. Internet is infrastructure as essential as roads or water—no one should be locked out of the digital economy.

The market has failed:
– Private ISPs won’t invest in low-income neighborhoods (not profitable enough)
– Prices are 30-40% higher than in cities with municipal competition
– 47% of West Louisville lacks broadband—after decades of “market solutions”

Municipal broadband works:
– Chattanooga: Municipal fiber serving 180,000 households has generated $2.69 billion in economic impact—$1B in business attraction alone
– Wilson, NC: City-owned broadband in low-income community has achieved 94% adoption, created 200 jobs
– Lafayette, LA: Residents save average $600/year vs. private ISPs

Return on investment: Every $1 invested in municipal broadband returns $4-8 in economic activity through remote work enablement, business growth, property value increases. This isn’t charity—it’s economic development with proven ROI.

Plus: Municipal broadband becomes revenue-positive within 3-5 years, generating income for city while lowering prices for residents. It pays for itself.

2. Louisville isn’t Austin or San Francisco—why try to compete in technology when we should focus on our strengths like manufacturing and logistics?

Answer: Technology isn’t replacing Louisville’s traditional strengths—it’s enhancing them. Modern manufacturing IS technology (automation, robotics, AI). Logistics IS technology (UPS, one of Louisville’s largest employers, is a tech company as much as logistics). Every industry now depends on technology.

The data:
– 67% of manufacturing jobs now require digital skills
– Logistics/supply chain management increasingly driven by AI, data analytics, automation
– Healthcare (another Louisville strength) depends on health IT, telemedicine, data analytics

We’re not choosing tech INSTEAD of traditional sectors—we’re ensuring Louisville workers have skills for modern versions of those sectors.

Plus: Tech sector has highest wage premiums and fastest growth:
– Median tech wage $89,400 vs. $59,200 city median—51% premium
– Tech jobs grew 25% nationally over decade vs. 12% overall job growth
– Tech skills increasingly required for middle-class jobs across ALL industries

If Louisville doesn’t invest in tech economy, we’ll fall further behind peer cities like Nashville (142% tech growth) and Indianapolis (78% tech growth) that ARE investing—losing young talent and high-wage jobs to cities making technology a priority.

3. Won’t municipal broadband compete unfairly with private internet providers and hurt local businesses?

Answer: Municipal broadband creates competition that HELPS consumers and businesses through lower prices and better service—while typically serving neighborhoods private ISPs have abandoned.

Fair competition:

1. Municipal broadband targets underserved areas where private ISPs won’t invest (not profitable)—we’re filling gaps, not competing in well-served markets

2. Private ISPs can compete on service, features, bundles—they just can’t charge monopoly prices anymore

3. When municipal broadband enters market, private ISPs lower prices and improve service—benefiting even customers who don’t switch to municipal option

Evidence from peer cities:
– Chattanooga: After municipal fiber launched, Comcast LOWERED prices 30% and INCREASED speeds to compete—private ISP customers benefited even without switching
– Lafayette, LA: Private ISP prices dropped 22% after municipal broadband launch
– Wilson, NC: Time Warner expanded service to previously ignored rural areas after city launched municipal network

Result: Municipal broadband creates competitive market benefiting all consumers—vs. current situation where private ISPs have monopoly power to charge high prices for mediocre service.

Plus: Private ISPs receive billions in public subsidies and use public rights-of-way for their networks—they’re already benefiting from taxpayer support. Municipal broadband just levels the playing field.

4. How do we know tech training programs will actually lead to jobs, not just leave people with skills they can’t use?

Answer: Dave’s policy includes job placement requirements, employer partnerships, and earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships that guarantee employment—not just training for training’s sake.

Job placement accountability:

1. Placement Rate Requirement: Training programs must achieve 75%+ job placement within 6 months at $55K+ wages or lose city funding—ensures programs accountable for outcomes

2. Employer Partnerships: All apprenticeships and 60% of bootcamp slots tied to specific employer commitments to hire graduates

3. Apprenticeships: 150 apprentices annually EARN while learning ($18-30/hour)—they’re already employed, just receiving training

4. Job Placement Incentives: $2,500 bonuses to employers hiring Louisville tech training graduates—creating hiring pipeline

Peer city results prove this works:
– Nashville Software School: 78% job placement rate, $58K median starting salary
– Indianapolis tech apprenticeships: 87% completion rate, 94% employed within 3 months at median $64K
– Austin CodeUp: 82% placement rate for underrepresented groups

Plus: Louisville tech sector currently has 900+ open positions according to Indeed/LinkedIn—demand far exceeds supply. We’re not training people for jobs that don’t exist, we’re filling desperate employer need for qualified local talent.

5. What prevents the Innovation District from just becoming another way for wealthy white entrepreneurs to get public funding, while Black and brown entrepreneurs remain excluded?

Answer: Explicit equity requirements with teeth—not just aspirational goals.

Hard accountability mechanisms:

1. 50% Funding Reservation: Half of startup capital ($1M annually) MUST go to entrepreneurs of color—not “should,” MUST

2. Geographic Requirements: West Louisville location for flagship hub eliminates transportation/access barriers that exclude West Louisville entrepreneurs from East End incubator

3. Community Governance: West Louisville residents hold majority seats on Innovation District governance board with approval authority over investments—outside funders can’t override community

4. Outcome Tracking: If Year 2 evaluation shows less than 40% participation by entrepreneurs of color, Mayor must present corrective plan to Council—consequences for missing equity targets

5. No Equity Requirements for Seed Grants: $25K-100K grants are equity-free—entrepreneurs keep 100% ownership (unlike typical VC that demands equity), ensuring Black/brown entrepreneurs aren’t giving up ownership to access capital

Comparison to typical startup funding:
– Status Quo: Less than 1% of VC funding nationally goes to Black founders despite Black people being 13% of population
– Dave’s Program: 50% of funding reserved for entrepreneurs of color—complete flip of typical pattern

We’re designing this program explicitly to counter historic patterns of exclusion—not replicate them with public funds.

6. City government has a terrible track record with technology projects that run over budget and don’t work—why will this be different?

Answer: Fair point—many government IT projects fail. Dave’s approach differs in several critical ways:

Different Approach:

1. Proven Platforms, Not Custom Development: We’ll use proven civic tech platforms (like OpenGov, SeeClickFix) already working in 100+ cities—not building everything custom from scratch (where most projects fail)

2. Agile Development: Iterative development with resident user testing, not “big bang” launches—launch with 20% of services, test, improve, expand

3. Private Sector Expertise: Hire experienced Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Technology Officer from cities that have done this successfully—not relying on staff with no digital transformation experience

4. Clear Metrics & Accountability: Specific measurable goals (reduce wait time from 45 to <5 minutes, 80% services online) with quarterly public reporting—if we’re not hitting targets, change approach

5. Resident-Centered Design: Technology designed WITH residents through user testing, not FOR residents by people who’ve never used city services

Risk Mitigation:
– Fixed-price contracts, not open-ended cost-plus
– Phased implementation with kill switches if not performing
– Independent evaluation at Year 2—if not working, we pivot

Peer city proof it works:
– Indianapolis: Digital transformation reduced wait times from 35 minutes to 4 minutes on time and on budget
– Austin: Digital permitting on time, generating $45M in annual economic impact
– Boston: 311 app launched in 6 months under budget, now handles 500K+ requests annually

It CAN be done right—but requires different approach than Louisville has taken historically. Dave’s committed to modern best practices, not repeating past failures.

7. Won’t AI and automation take jobs away from city workers? Why invest in technology that eliminates employment?

Answer: Technology will eliminate TASKS (like manual data entry), not jobs—freeing city workers to do higher-value work serving residents better.

Reality of city work:
– City employees currently spend 28% of time on manual tasks that should be automated—data re-entry, paper processing, repetitive questions
– That’s not fulfilling work—it’s drudgery keeping workers from actually helping residents
– Automation frees workers to solve complex resident problems, not just push paper

No Layoffs Commitment:
Dave commits NO city workers will be laid off due to digital transformation. Instead:

1. Redeploy to High-Value Work: Workers freed from manual tasks redeploy to resident-facing services, complex problem-solving, community engagement

2. Natural Attrition: Any efficiency gains handled through natural attrition (retirements, departures)—not layoffs

3. Upskilling: City invests in training current workers in digital skills so they can advance to higher-paying positions

Example:
– Before AI Assistant: 311 operator spends 60% of time answering “When is trash pickup?” and “How do I pay parking ticket?”—repetitive questions taking time from complex resident issues
– After AI Assistant: AI handles routine questions 24/7, operator focuses on complex cases requiring human judgment, problem-solving—more fulfilling work, better resident service

Plus: Digital transformation improves worker satisfaction—Indianapolis reports 73% increase in employee satisfaction after digital transformation because workers doing meaningful work instead of soul-crushing data entry.

8. How will you ensure city data is secure and resident privacy is protected with all this digitization and open data?

Answer: Security and privacy are core to digital transformation—not afterthoughts.

Cybersecurity Investment:
– $1M annually for security infrastructure, monitoring, incident response
– Comprehensive penetration testing before any system launches
– 24/7 security monitoring for threats
– Regular security training for all city employees
– Incident response plan for ransomware, breaches

Privacy Protections:
– Open data releases only NON-SENSITIVE data—no personal information, no data that could identify individuals
– Data governance board reviews all data releases for privacy implications
– Compliance with all federal/state privacy laws (HIPAA for health data, FERPA for education data, etc.)
– Transparency about what data city collects and how it’s used

Examples of Open Data (OK) vs. Private Data (NOT Released):
– OK: Aggregated crime statistics by neighborhood
– NOT OK: Individual arrest records with names, addresses
– OK: Number of permits issued by type
– NOT OK: Permit applications with property owner information
– OK: 311 request response times by category
– NOT OK: 311 calls with caller identification

Peer cities prove this can be done safely:
– NYC: 1,500+ open datasets, zero privacy breaches in 12 years
– Chicago: 1,000+ datasets, robust privacy framework preventing individual identification
– Seattle: Open data program with exemplary privacy protections, frequently cited as national model

If anything, digitization IMPROVES security vs. current state:
– Paper records easily lost, stolen, no audit trail
– Disconnected databases more vulnerable than unified secure system
– Digital systems have encryption, access controls, monitoring that paper can’t provide

9. What happens to people who don’t have smartphones or computers and can’t use digital services no matter how good they are?

Answer: Digital transformation EXPANDS options—it doesn’t eliminate traditional in-person and phone service.

Multi-Channel Service:
– Digital: Mobile app, website for those who prefer it (available 24/7)
– Phone: Enhanced 311 service with AI handling routine questions, human staff for complex issues (faster than current 45-minute waits)
– In-Person: Metro offices remain open for residents who need face-to-face service
– Community Centers: Computer access and in-person assistance at libraries, community centers

Digital Navigator Program:
30 community members trained to provide in-home tech support for seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities who need help accessing digital services—NO ONE left behind.

Device Access:
20,000 free laptops/tablets distributed to low-income households over 4 years—if lack of device is barrier, we provide device.

The goal is UNIVERSAL ACCESS through whatever channel works for each resident—not forcing everyone onto digital platform.

Plus: Digital services particularly benefit those who CAN’T easily access in-person service:
– Working parents who can’t take time off to visit Metro offices during business hours
– People with disabilities who face transportation barriers
– Residents without cars in neighborhoods poorly served by transit
– People working multiple jobs with no time for 45-minute phone waits

Digital transformation makes government MORE accessible for most residents—while maintaining traditional channels for those who need them.

10. This seems like a lot of money ($38M)—can Louisville afford this when we have so many other pressing needs?

Answer: Louisville can’t afford NOT to invest in technology—the cost of falling further behind is far higher than $38M.

Cost of Doing Nothing:

Current technology deficit costs Louisville:
– $24M annually in wasted city productivity from manual processes
– $6.8M annually in wasted resident time (45-minute waits)
– $15-25M annually in delayed economic activity from slow permitting
– $43.8M annually in lost wages from tech brain drain (493 graduates leaving)
– Lost Tax Revenue: Estimated $8-12M annually from tech workers/businesses that leave for cities with better tech ecosystems

Total cost of falling behind: $97-111M annually—2.5-3x what investment would cost.

Return on Investment:

$38M investment generates:
– $266-380M in annual economic impact (7-10x ROI)
– $7.5-11.5M in direct tax revenue
– $8M in city efficiency savings by Year 4
– $245M in new annual wages from tech job creation

Net benefit: $228-342M annually—investment pays for itself many times over.

Comparison to Other Investments:

$38M is 3.7% of city budget—modest for transformational impact:
– Nashville invests $92M annually in tech/innovation (2.4% of their larger budget)
– Austin invests $140M annually (1.8% of their budget)
– Indianapolis invests $67M annually (3.1% of budget)

Louisville’s $38M investment is in line with peer cities—we’re not over-investing, we’re catching up to what successful cities already do.

Plus: Much of investment ($15M) comes from federal broadband grants, not city funds—we’d be leaving money on the table by not pursuing it.

Bottom line: This is one of highest-ROI investments city can make. The question isn’t “can we afford it?”—it’s “can we afford to keep falling behind?”

CONCLUSION: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PEOPLE

For too long, Louisville has approached technology as a luxury for those who can afford it—not essential infrastructure for everyone. Meanwhile, 91,000 households remain locked out of the digital economy, our tech graduates flee to cities investing in innovation, city government operates on technology from 2010, and we fall further behind peer cities building 21st-century economies.

Dave’s Technology & Innovation policy rejects this trajectory.

It recognizes that:

• High-speed internet is as essential as water and electricity—no one should be excluded
• Technology creates pathways to prosperity—IF we invest in training and ensure access
• Innovation happens everywhere when given infrastructure and support—not just in wealthy neighborhoods
• Modern government technology is a right, not a privilege—residents deserve efficient service
• Louisville can compete in the innovation economy—IF we make strategic investments peer cities already made

The choice is clear:

Continue Louisville’s current path—91,000 households without internet, losing 493 tech graduates annually to other cities, 45-minute waits for city services, falling further behind Nashville and Indianapolis in tech economy—and miss out on the fastest-growing, highest-wage sector.

Or invest $38M annually to close the digital divide, create 2,000+ tech jobs, modernize government, build innovation ecosystem, and transform Louisville into a competitive tech hub where innovation serves everyone.

This is about more than apps and websites. It’s about economic survival in a digital economy. It’s about whether Louisville residents can access remote work opportunities, online education, telehealth, and government services. It’s about whether our graduates stay or leave. It’s about whether we fall further behind or catch up to peer cities.

Dave’s vision: A Louisville where every household has high-speed internet, every resident has pathways to tech careers paying $80,000+, innovation happens in West Louisville and every neighborhood, city government operates on cutting-edge technology serving residents efficiently, and our tech sector rivals Nashville and Indianapolis.

A digital Louisville that works for everyone.

That’s democracy that works for everyone. That’s the Louisville we’ll build together.

For more information:
– Full policy details: rundaverun.org/policy/technology-innovation
– Voter education glossary: rundaverun.org/glossary
– Get involved: rundaverun.org/volunteer
– Contact campaign: info@rundaverun.org

Dave Biggers for Louisville Mayor
Democracy that works for everyone.

This policy document is part of Dave Biggers’ comprehensive policy platform addressing Louisville’s most pressing challenges through evidence-based solutions and community-driven governance. See also: Public Safety (), Criminal Justice Reform (), Health & Human Services (), Budget & Financial Management (), Affordable Housing (), Education & Youth Development (), Environmental Justice (), Economic Development & Jobs (), Infrastructure & Transportation (), Arts, Culture & Tourism (), and forthcoming policies on Public Health & Wellness, Neighborhood Development, Senior Services, Disability Rights & Accessibility, and Food Systems & Urban Agriculture.

RELATED POLICIES

This policy works in coordination with these related initiatives:

• Economic Development & Jobs: Technology sector creates the highest-wage jobs and drives 21st-century economic competitiveness.
• Education & Youth Development: Universal broadband eliminates the digital divide excluding students from online education and homework completion.
• Budget & Financial Management: Digital government transformation enables real-time budget transparency and efficient public service delivery.
• Public Safety & Community Policing: Technology infrastructure supports data-driven community policing and public accountability systems.
• Disability Rights & Accessibility: Digital accessibility and assistive technology enable full participation for people with disabilities.

Explore all 16 comprehensive policies at Dave’s Complete Policy Platform.