At a Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, Verizon was praised for its partnership with the city of Elizabeth. Under a program called Innovative Access -- Expanding Opportunities and Creating Effective Services, Verizon provided more than $200,000 in computer equipment and deeply discounted Internet access rates for the city's libraries. The city, in turn, is making Internet access available to tens of thousands of residents, including more than 13,000 who are participating in the Innovative Access program at the libraries.
The Elizabeth Main Public Library installed 200 computer stations throughout the building. All are networked through the Innovative Access program.