Ramsey Connected - Computer & Internet Resources
About Ramsey Connected
Built on the belief that digital access is a basic need, Ramsey Connected is an initiative designed to ensure all Ramsey County residents have access to low-cost internet and computers and the skills to use them.
The resources listed below are for informational purposes only and are not endorsed by the county.
Digital inclusion resources map
An interactive map is available to help you find digital inclusion resources near you.
View Digital Inclusion Resources Map
Improve your computer and job skills
- North Star Digital Literacy
- Ramsey County Library Tech Support – Computers and Technology Help.
- Saint Paul Public Libraries – Computers and Technology Services.
- workPLACE | Saint Paul Public Library
- Project for Pride in Living computer learning handouts
- Saint Paul Literacy Consortium digital literacy classes
- Grow with Google – With Google Career Certificates, any U.S. business can train their employees at no cost, Google is offering access to up to 500 scholarships per company.
- Neighborhood House – Adult Education and Digital Literacy Skill.
- Harmony Learning Center - Digital skills training.
- Ramsey County Library Tech Support – many workshops across various branches.
Ramsey County Community Career Labs
Ramsey County Community Career Labs provide in-person and virtual services for job seekers.
Saint Paul Public Library Career Labs
Tech careers
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024.
Consumers must be approved and enrolled with a service provide by February 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to receive the ACP benefit.
Learn more:
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Comcast Internet Essentials
Residents who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program can receive their Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus plan for free.
Low-cost computer, phone and local retailers
To find a local internet provider, you can use the Companies Near Me search tool. The results may vary. See below for additional low-cost options for internet and computers.
PCs for People
PCs for People is a national nonprofit social enterprise working to get low-cost quality computers and internet into the homes of individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income.
Phone resources
The Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program provides free cellular service each month for eligible customers. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Lifeline benefits are limited to a single line of service per household. You may not receive multiple Lifeline discounts. You may apply your Lifeline discount to either one landline or one wireless number, but you cannot have the discount on both.
In general, if a subscriber participates in any of the following programs, they are qualified for low-income telephone assistance:
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Medicaid (not Medicare).
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)*.
- Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA).
- Veteran's Pension or Survivor's Pension Benefit.
- An individual may also qualify if their income is at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines.
Repowered
Repowered (FKA TechDump/TechDiscounts) offers high quality refurbished and vintage electronics along with new devices.
Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
The Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program provides a variety of adaptive phone devices to people who have difficulty using the phone. People who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or who have a speech or physical disability often find these devices make using the phone easier. Devices are loaned for free to those who qualify, for as long as they need them.
Ramsey Connected background information
Ramsey County believes internet access is a basic need and low-cost internet should be available to all residents. While Ramsey County is not an internet service provider, we serve as a promoter, connector and partner through our Ramsey Connected program. In these roles, we share information from other government, for-profit and nonprofit organizations to Ramsey County residents and community organizations. We also make connections between residents, community organizations, federal and state government and for-profit technology organizations, and serve as a partner to share our knowledge of community needs, bring impacted communities to the table, and share and develop ideas and strategies.