Project Title:
Realizing Future Proof Technology to Create Connections between Talladega College's Students, Faculty and Surrounding Community in Rural Alabama: A HBCU Pilot Project
Funding Program:
Connecting Minority Communities Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Talladega College "Realizing Future Proof Technology to Create Connections between Talladega College’s Students, Faculty and Surrounding Community in Rural Alabama" project aims to create a true broadband network that will provide internet services across the college's campus as well as provide access to true broadband to the anchor communities of the city of Talladega and portions of Talladega County. Further, this project will increase IT staffing to address the connectivity and other technology related problems on campus to better serve the students and community.
City/Town/Service Area:
State(s):
-
$2,967,121.60Funding Amount$2,967,121.60Total Project Cost0.00Non-Federal Cost Share
This project will be completed through the three principal activities. First, Talladega College will conduct a comprehensive broadband technology assessment in order to understand current gaps in capability and to create a long-term Technology Roadmap and Strategic Plan. Second, with the assessment in hand, the college will design, deploy and install the broadband network. Third, the college will grow and expand Talladega’s College base of IT, AV, database personnel by hiring additional employees.
Once completed, the broadband network design and deployment is intended to provide a robust, economically viable solution that can deliver much-needed internet access to Talladega College and areas in the community where internet access is limited or not reliable. This project will also provide Talladega College with leading-edge technology and delivery systems designed to position the College to provide future services to residents and businesses in the surrounding community to help foster commercial and industrial development. With the Connecting Minority Community (CMC) grant funding for this project, Talladega College will be positioned to become the hub of technology services and educational opportunity for the broader community allowing the College to develop more community partnerships, service and outreach opportunities, workforce development opportunities, online training opportunities, to bring connectivity that allows more reliable access to telehealth services, and to enhance and elevate distance learning and remote education opportunities available to the campus and community.
This project will benefit low income students at Talladega College. Access to faster and more reliable Internet service will help families that have not been able to participate in virtual learning and attract more commercial and industrial development to the region. This includes the 53% minority population and 50% low to moderate income population of the City of Talladega, Alabama.
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.
The applicant does not fund a consortia. The applicant’s activities do occur in the surrounding anchor communities. Details of community involvement are described below.