Project Title:
Adelante Connect
Funding Program:
Connecting Minority Communities Program
Project Purpose/Type:
Colorado State University (CSU Pueblo)'s “Adelante Connect” project aims to connect Pueblo residents to the internet and actively engage them in the knowledge economy. The purpose of the pilot project is to achieve an improved sense of digital equity, inclusion, and literacy, while building broadband awareness, and providing broadband solutions amongst in-need students, families, and organizations within the Pueblo anchor communities. The implementation of the project is expected to address key challenges of the Colorado State University - Pueblo and target anchor communities including poverty; lack of access to internet connection; lack of access to computer, smart phone, or tablet; and lack of digital literacy in underserved, low-income neighborhoods.
City/Town/Service Area:
State(s):
-
$2,999,023.00Funding Amount$2,999,023.00Total Project Cost0.00Non-Federal Cost Share
The Adelante Connect project will involve two phases. In Phase I, CSU Pueblo will: conduct a digital ecosystem assessment in year one; enhance the broadband capacity of CSU Pueblo Watertower Place Downtown Campus; develop and implement an Adelante Connect Digital Marketing Messaging and Advocacy strategy and staff a Digital Communication Office to support the digital marketing and messaging efforts needed for program success; distribute laptops and subsidized internet service to students within anchor communities and staff Digital Navigators in four anchor community locations; and implement a robust, reliable broadband connection (minimum speed 100/20 mbps) for identified students to be fully funded through Adelante Connect for the duration of the program. In Phase II, CSU Pueblo will: launch the Digital Navigator Program in the remaining fifteen eligible census tract areas of the City of Pueblo and Pueblo County (Avondale/Boone); and incorporate the healthcare sector in the Digital Navigator Program, providing digital learning, broadband awareness, adoption, subsidies, and devices.
The Adelante Connect project will significantly improve digital equity, inclusion, and literacy within the target neighborhoods in Pueblo via the CSU Pueblo Digital Ecosystem. Work at the neighborhood level and with in-need students will improve remote learning, digital literacy, digital inclusion, and digital equity within the community. Robust, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity and support will be provided to community anchors, student households, and the neighborhoods.
The Adelante Connects project will benefit in-need CSU Pueblo students and in-need anchor community members in communities throughout Pueblo, Colorado. This project will provide an opportunity to reverse the internet access disadvantage in these communities and to provide digital literacy, digital equity, and digital inclusion for these neighborhoods and communities.
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.
The applicant does not fund a consortium. The applicant states that 19 of the 34 eligible census tracts will be served in Year One.