The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has celebrated the grand opening of Airways Plaza, located at 1281 Murfreesboro Pike. This new facility will serve as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) and the site where Metro’s innovative digital inclusion program, TechTies: Connected Services for the Community, will be administered.
The grand opening for Airways Plaza was held September 23, with Mayor Freddie O’Connell sharing remarks.
Earlier this year, Metro’s Digital Inclusion program was awarded $1.9 million from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to advance digital opportunity efforts. The TechTies program delivers virtual health monitoring, technology training, and other resources at no cost to program participants and from a single Metro location that serves as a hub for advancing digital access and opportunity.
Since its creation in 1964, the Metro Action Commission has been dedicated to eradicating poverty through various support services including technology training to help individuals begin or advance their careers. The TechTies program marks a groundbreaking collaboration, expanding Metro’s capacity to support residents and break cycles of poverty through technology and digital skills.
“In today’s world, so much of public life is supported by technology. People need affordable, reliable internet, internet-enabled devices, and the skills to use them effectively,” said Mayor O’Connell. “These services also need to be located where residents can easily reach them.” Airways Plaza is accessible by bus on WeGo Transportation’s Route 55-Murfreesboro Pike, a frequent transit route that runs every 15 minutes or less.
TechTies offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes free devices and technology training led by Metro Digital Inclusion and two key partners, Tech Goes Home Tennessee and LocalTek. Training spans from basic digital skills to job-ready skills and IT certifications, plus dedicated technology training for youth and older adults. The program will also provide virtual health monitoring services at Airways Plaza.
As a connecting element, the program offers personalized guidance for residents through the Digital Navigator program, supported by Comcast. Digital Navigators provide individualized support, helping residents use technology to find jobs, learn online, advance their careers, access modern healthcare resources, and engage with their community and government.
“Our Digital Navigators are broadly community focused. They address all aspects of digital opportunity including areas of technology application that we do not always consider, such as civic engagement and healthcare access,” said Pearl Amanfu, Metro’s Digital Inclusion Officer. “This is a necessary part of our work to support Mayor O’Connell’s goal of ensuring that all residents can move forward on the path of opportunity. Learning to use the technology that supports daily life is one of the ways to get there.”
