Project Title:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Project Purpose/Type:
This project proposes to connect communities experienced by planning, developing, and implementing modernized remote island access to broadband infrastructure.
State(s):
-
$500,000.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to and use of broadband services among Tribal members:
- Plan and develop middle mile broadband infrastructure, establish partnerships with communication providers, and provide broadband equipment.
- Establish a computer training center/lab that will help increase computer literacy amongst Tribal members, increase communication across corporate, professional, educational, and medical platforms, foster economic growth, and increase household incomes through work-from-home/remote work initiatives as well as entrepreneurship/business development initiatives, and foster educational opportunities by providing access to broadband-enabled equipment and internet that encourage online education and provide basic computer training.
In coordination with the Alaska Broadband office, the planning and development of a comprehensive Middle Mile Project that is ready for funding consideration and that will be able to provide a minimum service level speed of 25/3 Mbps. The planning, development, and implementation of a Tribal Community Computer Learning Center that will facilitate broadband access for Tribal community members.
The Tribal community members of Qawalangin will be the beneficiaries of the project. They will benefit from improved access to broadband-enabled equipment, implementation of digital skills training, greater access to online education (with a focus on IT programs), Work-from-Home opportunities, and Telemedicine.