Project Title:
Connecting Broward UP Communities (CBC) Project
Funding Program:
Connecting Minority Communities Program
Project Purpose/Type:
Broward College (BC)'s Connecting Broward-UP Communities (CBC) project aims to promote broadband adoption, access, and capacity in Broward County, Florida across targeted anchor communities where a digital divide persists, posing a barrier to educational attainment and socioeconomic progress. The overall goal of the project is to ensure all residents have access to broadband services. To accomplish this, BC will create access points within anchor communities and lay the groundwork for high quality connectivity throughout the region.
City/Town/Service Area:
State(s):
-
$2,999,996.77Funding Amount$2,999,996.77Total Project Cost0.00Non-Federal Cost Share
Broward College (BC)'s Broward UP program offers workforce training to residents in targeted zip codes in Broward County. BC proposes to leverage the Broward UP movement to conduct the following activities. BC will: (1) Conduct a more comprehensive needs assessment to determine the areas within Broward UP and the anchor communities that lack the availability of broadband internet services for workforce education; (2) Develop a website/app to provide residents with information on broadband access for workforce education and training and employment services; (3) Establish a Tech Squad of qualified technicians and staff to implement the project; (4) Expand broadband networking capacity and digital technology for remote education and distance learning within the Broward UP communities; (5) Develop an agreement with a broadband internet provider for bulk purchase of services for residents to facilitate greater access to broadband services; (6) Expand access points within the anchor communities, including leveraging BC’s mobile application unit, to ensure access to broadband access and technology equipment and devices (laptops, computers, tablets, distance learning equipment, wiring, and hotspots) to support connectivity for remote education and employment activities; (7) Develop and provide digital training and workforce education leading to industry-recognized certification, technology support, outreach, and awareness programs; (8) Expand capacity with a Project Director and Tech Squad to manage the program, oversee activities and provide technical support for residents and access point sites within anchor communities; and (9) Evaluate and collect data to document best practices for a replicable and sustainable program.
Through this project, Broward College will improve access to affordable broadband through subsidies and education and increase access to technology equipment through loaner programs and access points. Additionally, BC will increase the number of individuals who receive workforce training and education leading to credentials, certifications, and degrees in Broward UP communities. Broward UP clients will be better prepared to engage in the tech economy through digital literacy training and on-the-job training experiences.
This project would benefit Broward College, its students, and the neighboring community by improving the campus-community relationship, increasing the college’s capacity to deliver quality instruction, providing additional accelerated programs for students and community members to learn, and increasing entrepreneurial pathways in the community. Residents in the anchor community in Broward County, Florida will benefit from subsidized broadband services and will have access to workforce education training programs.
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.
The applicant does fund a consortia. The applicant’s activities do occur in the surrounding anchor communities. Details of community involvement are described below.