For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (November 30, 2018)–The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) today named the recipients of its 2018 grants to advance quality of life and enable economic development in rural America. The winning projects, which are endorsed by rural broadband companies in the membership of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, will help rural communities in 11 states access the broadband-enabled technology they need to support education, job creation, economic development, telemedicine and first response emergency services.
“The Foundation for Rural Service is honored to highlight and support these inspiring communities,” said Jessica Golden, FRS executive director. “This year’s grant winners are exemplars of the innovation, orientation towards public service and dedication to hard work that can be found throughout rural America. The foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to all our applicants, whose collaboration and insight are improving the quality of life in their respective communities.”
The following organizations received grants:
- 5 Loaves Food Pantry (Twin Lakes, Tenn.)
Awarded $4,608 for basic technology classes and Wi-Fi access.
Endorsed by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.
- Clifton Community Library (Cranberry Lake, N.Y.)
Awarded $1,060 for the creation of a Wi-Fi hot-spot in Newton Falls.
Endorsed by SLIC Network Solutions.
- Face to Face Recovery Organization (Jesup, Ga.)
Awarded $3,800 for a start-up distance learning GED education program within the Wayne County jail system.
Endorsed by ATC Broadband.
- Family Resource Center (Lac Du Flambeau, Wis.)
Awarded $4,950 for the creation of a sustainable telehealth program for the Luc De Flambeau Indian Reservation and Community.
Endorsed by Price County Telephone Company.
- Gervais High School (Gervais, Ore.)
Awarded $4,944 for the purchase of 12 Google Chromebooks, carrying cases and wall- mounted screens to enhance and further educational programming.
Endorsed by Gervais Telephone Company.
- Greater West Central Public Library District (Augusta, Ill.)
Awarded $5,000 for the purchase of nine desktop computers and five iPads to be distributed throughout the library district’s five locations.
Endorsed by Adams Telephone Cooperative.
- Mercer County Ambulance Service (Hazen, N.D.)
Awarded $3,000 to upgrade their four laptops to provide better care to the 8,000 people they serve.
Endorsed by West River Telecom.
- Moundridge Public Library (Moundridge, Kan.)
Awarded $3,942 to add three computers to its public computer work stations. This will give the library four computers, nearer to the state-recommended six for a library of its size.
Endorsed by Moundridge Communications Network.
- Oakhurst Community College Outreach Center (OCCC) (Oakhurst, Calif.)
Awarded $5,000 to improve the center’s distance learning opportunities by installing distance learning equipment for high school enrichment and dual enrollment classes. The new equipment will allow OCCC to link to distance learning programs at other community colleges.
Endorsed by Sierra Telephone.
- Owsley County Action Team (Booneville, Ky.)
Awarded $5,000 to the Booneville Teleworks Hub. The Teleworks Hub helps train local residents in the hopes of finding them telework jobs with companies throughout the world. Endorsed by Peoples Rural Telephone Company.
- Screven County Community Collaborative Inc. (Sylvania, Ga.)
Awarded $5,000 for the purchase of tablets, hotspot equipment, laptops, and a smartboard to be used on its “Learning on Wheels” tech bus.
Endorsed by Planters Telephone Cooperative.
- Toole County Health Foundation (Marias Medical Center) (Shelby, Mont.)
Awarded $3,600 for the purchase of a mobile telemedicine cart.
Endorsed by Three Rivers Communications.
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The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. FRS is committed to educational achievement in rural communities, recognizing that tomorrow’s economic and civic development depends on the involvement and commitment of today’s youth. Visit us at www.frs.org.
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 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 transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks 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, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.