Project Title:
Mashantucket Tribal Broadband Project
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Project Purpose/Type:
This Broadband Use and Adoption project will assist 163 Tribal households, workforce development staff, and Tribal institutions in New London County, Connecticut, in developing programs and resources to address COVID-19 challenges that have impacted Tribal members. The applicant intends to provide affordable broadband service and equipment for Tribal members in addition to creating a workforce development center that will assist the Tribe’s workforce development program in training, readiness, and job placement.
State(s):
-
$493,008.00Funding Amount
The project intends to provide equipment and services for Tribal members. The key activities include:
- Fund a pre-paid 3-year Internet Service Kit (including modem and pre-paid monthly service) for 163 households;
- Purchase two Dell Education Chromebook 3100 for each of the 163 households;
- Purchase 5G Ultra-Wideband Mobile Hotspots for 163 households; and
- Purchase two laptop computers, six desktop computers, and two Wi-Fi hotspots to support a workforce development center that provides training and curricula for tribal members in broadband fields.
The project’s expected outcome is to improve Tribal members’ ability to use broadband services and increase access to telehealth, distance learning, workforce development, and broadband use and adoption efforts. The workforce development center will facilitate 416 classes over one year for Tribal members seeking career growth opportunities.
The beneficiaries include 163 Tribal residences and the workforce development staff. Additionally, the applicant estimates a transient daily population between 40,000 – 60,000 individuals who visit Tribal government and business entities.