Gigabit broadband is going to expand the digital divide in some areas, at least in the short term, because gigs go where the money is. Wireless enjoys some advantages in costs and quick deployment that make it a valuable digital inclusion tool for underserved communities today and a backup solution for tomorrow.

Tony Schloss, Director of Community Initiatives for the Red Hook Initiative in Brooklyn, NY, is using a wireless mesh network as a job creator and a tool for economic development. Nearly half of economic development pros in a recent survey believe broadband networks can be used to encourage individual entrepreneurship among underserved constituents. Schloss tells listeners how they can achieve these objectives in their communities.

Listeners get an overview of how to raise money and deploy wireless technology, mobilize people to organize and participate in digital programs, help develop basic applications, create community-centric content and keep operations going. Schloss also discusses some of Red Hook's successes working with youths and what steps communities can take to replicate these.