Powering Opportunity: Big Investment Expands Free High Speed Internet and Business Resources in East Portland

Portland, OR. — A new community technology hub designed to strengthen small businesses and expand digital access has opened in East Portland, thanks to an $80,000 investment by Comcast and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission. The site, launched in partnership with The Rosewood Initiative, marks the region’s newest Lift Zone, a program providing free WiFi, technology, and skills training to communities facing barriers to digital access.

Located inside the Rosewood Initiative’s Community Center at 14127 SE Stark Street, the Rosewood Small Business Tech Hub offers a dedicated workspace for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, access professional equipment, and build critical digital skills.

A Local Response to Local Needs

For years, East Portland has faced chronic underinvestment and limited access to key economic resources. According to community advocates, many home‑based and emerging small businesses in the area operate without reliable high‑speed internet, adequate equipment, or a professional environment to meet clients or create digital content.

Portland City Council President Jamie Dunphy said the new Tech Hub reflects a meaningful commitment to closing those gaps.

“The Rosewood Small Business Tech Hub is a powerful investment in advancing economic equity for East Portlanders. We have countless home‑based businesses working hard behind the scenes, and many of them don’t have access to high‑speed internet, professional equipment, or a dedicated workspace. Resources like this Tech Hub will open doors and create opportunities for so many hardworking people in our community.”

What the Lift Zone Provides

Backed by Comcast Business and modeled after more than 1,250 Lift Zones nationwide, the new Tech Hub offers a wide range of tools and services specifically tailored to small business owners. These services include workshops and classes that support digital marketing, social media strategy, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and more.

These offerings aim to remove technological and financial barriers that often prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from growing or formalizing their businesses.

A Permanent Community Resource

Sabrina Wilson, Executive Director of The Rosewood Initiative, says the investment will create lasting change.

“This Tech Hub will reduce technological barriers that too often prevent community members from pursuing their dream of starting and nurturing a business. Thanks to Comcast, this space is now a permanent resource for our community, and we look forward to hosting workshops and classes to amplify this impact.”

The new Lift Zone also builds on Comcast’s broader Project UP, a $1 billion national initiative focused on advancing digital equity, expanding access to technology, and supporting pathways to economic mobility.

Strengthening Digital Equity and Local Business Growth

Comcast leaders say the project reflects their long‑term commitment to supporting small business growth and addressing the digital divide in communities that need it most.

“Our partnership with The Rosewood Initiative is a strategic investment in the future of small businesses,” said Keith Turner, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Pacific Northwest Region. “By providing access to technology, training, and community support, Comcast and Rosewood are helping entrepreneurs unlock new possibilities and build stronger, more resilient businesses.”

A Step Forward for East Portland’s Economic Future

With the opening of the Rosewood Small Business Tech Hub, East Portland entrepreneurs now have access to robust digital tools, training, and support designed to strengthen local businesses and expand economic opportunity. For many, the Lift Zone represents not just free WiFi or equipment, but a gateway to stability, growth, and long‑term success.

Disclaimer: Jessica Bruck is a manager and copywriter at Comcast NBCUniversal.