Project Title:
Gila River Indian Community
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
This Broadband Use and Adoption Project proposes to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Pima and Maricopa Tribal members in Pinal and Maricopa counties, Arizona. Broadband network expansion will assist in telehealth expansion, distance learning opportunities, affordable broadband service, economic growth, and broadband use and adoption efforts where demands for Internet access has grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State(s):
-
$4,477,345.00Funding Amount
The project intends to meet the following objectives:
- Fund the purchase of improved Wi-Fi capability and extend the broadband range in community homes by upgrading customers to the most advanced mobile Wi-Fi devices and subsidizing increased monthly service charges for Tribal members for one year;
- Expand the capacity of community technology anchor institutions to provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment, and support to Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) members;
- Support enhancements to equipment, education, and training to support broadband and digital technology initiatives; and
- Assess GRIC’s technology needs and develop a broadband use and adoption plan. Assess GRIC’s technology needs and develop a broadband use and adoption plan.
The project’s expected outcome is to expand access to broadband adoption activities, which include telehealth, distance learning, workforce development, and affordable broadband programs.
The project will expand broadband adoption and use across 580 miles of Reservation land benefiting approximately 12,000 individuals.