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The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE has been narrowing the digital divide in St. Clair and Madison Counties by partnering with the Tech Access Group, (TAG). Founded as a social enterprise with a mission to provide digital access through refurbished devices, broadband connectivity and digital skills training—TAG is set to open its new Belleville location in late August 2025.

What makes TAG different from many organizations attempting to fill similar gaps is its full-spectrum approach, according to cofounder and director Fae Vadoma.

"Digital access doesn't stop at handing someone a laptop,” said Vadoma. “They need the device, they need the internet, and they need the skills to use both. We address all three."

The journey to launching this innovative initiative started back in 2021. When Vadoma took over the mission two and a half years ago, the goal was to build an organization that could tackle e-waste, workforce development, and digital equity all at once—without the red tape or inefficiencies often seen in traditional nonprofit models.

"TAG exists as a response to misused funding in the nonprofit sector,” said Vadoma. “We wanted to show that it’s possible to do the right thing, serve communities and be sustainable.”

TAG diverts electronic waste from landfills by refurbishing donated devices, partners with broadband providers to distribute hotspots with those devices and trains community-based digital navigators to teach and pass on essential skills. Their new location, formerly a long-unused apartment space in Belleville, was cleaned and transformed with the help of dedicated volunteers from both Illinois and Missouri. Once fully renovated, it will serve as TAG’s central hub for donation drives, classes, device preparation and community engagement.

TAG made a conscious decision to stay rooted in Illinois, particularly in underserved areas of St. Clair County and Madison County, where access to technology remains disproportionately low compared to St. Louis.

Support from the SBDC at SIUE has been instrumental.

"The SBDC connected me with legal resources, accountants, pitch competitions and networking opportunities that have helped turn TAG from an idea into a fully operational social enterprise," said Vadoma.

Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Illinois SBDC director, holds TAG in high acclaim.

“I appreciate the dedication and amount of hard work Fae and her team have put into Tag,” said Di Maggio May, “I am excited to see what they accomplish in the coming months and even years.”

TAG hosted its soft launch on Sunday, Aug. 10. They are now accepting donations, with a grand opening expected shortly after final repairs and painting are completed. Community members, volunteers and potential partners will soon be able to visit the space, donate devices, learn new skills or simply get connected.

Editors note: A previous version of this story used an incorrect name for Fae Vadoma. The misprint was corrected on 11:37 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22. The editorial team apologizes for this error.