In case you missed it, Forbes.com recently named Milwaukee as one of America's Most Wired Cities. The ranking, a tie with St. Louis and just ahead of Sacramento, saw Milwaukee squeak onto the sophomore edition of the top-30 list.

The list attempts to rank cities based on factors such as: (1) the number of Internet users with high-speed access; (2) the range of service providers; and (3) wireless-wiredness, or the number of available public wireless hotspots (apparently hotspots available to the public, including hotspots run by private entities). The article explains that the data used to compile the list may mature over time. Also, evolving technologies, such as new wireless schemes, will necessarily influence the manner in which future editions of the list are compiled.

That the 22nd most populous city in the United States was ranked 28th on this list is fodder for any number of theories about how Wisconsin and its largest municipality are faring in the digital world. Mayor Barrett is fond of saying "Lavern and Shirley don't live [in Milwaukee] anymore." As the city with an industrial pedigree continues to find its way in a time when connectedness is considered a major factor in a city's economic strength, an appearance on the list is surely welcome. On the other hand, hovering near the tail end of the list because of relatively few access options and sparse wireless connections bolsters accounts of the digital divide and highlights the need to find new ways of doing business in both the public and private arenas.