For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder Smith, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (February 22, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier national association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies, today announced that three association member companies will receive $5,000 matching grants for the development of broadband-enabled solutions for their communities.
The Smart Rural Community (SRC) initiative highlights efforts that make rural areas vibrant places in which to live and do business. The Collaboration Challenge confers awards to promote collaborative efforts in economic development, education, energy, health care and public safety.
The winners of the SRC Collaboration Challenge are:
- Consolidated Telecommunications Company (Brainerd, Minn.), which is supporting MakerSpace for “STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, arts and music) in four public schools. SRC will match funds for the purchase of computer equipment and accessories.
- Copper Valley Telecom (Valdez, Alaska), which is supporting a Prince William Sound College (PWSC) continuing education course to teach basic computer skills for older residents and others unfamiliar with basic computer technology. SRC will match funds donated by Copper Valley and PWSC.
- Triangle Communications, Inc. (Havre, Mont.), which is supporting a tribal-owned economic development agency with establishment of a virtual workplace suite and training center to provide educational resources and training for call center and telework industries.
NTCA’s SRC Collaboration Challenge recipients were recognized at a gathering of more than 2,000 rural telecom leaders in Lake Buena Vista. The Collaboration Challenge grants were made possible by SRC sponsors MAPCOM Systems, the National Information Solutions Cooperative and National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative.
For more information about the initiative, visit www.ntca.org/smart.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.