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A $14.3 million IT grant for Indiana's libraries

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CIOL Bureau
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NASHVILLE, US: Education Networks of America (ENA), a player in managed Internet access and network services to schools and libraries, has been awarded a $14.3 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to build broadband infrastructure in Indiana to enable improved education, training and connectivity access opportunities for 145 of Indiana’s underserved schools and libraries.

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This BTOP grant will allow ENA to deploy a fiber-based connectivity infrastructure that will bring enhanced speed, reliability, affordability and increased subscribership to broadband services in Indiana geographies that have suffered from inadequate Internet access, ultimately promoting enhanced economic growth. By adding high-speed broadband Internet access and equity to these underserved communities, as many as 216,663 households, 31,808 businesses and 630 community anchor institutions—including schools, libraries, fire stations, police stations, hospitals and other critical community organizations—have the opportunity to become far better equipped to avail themselves of improved communications, distance learning, online training and access to a wide-variety of online government resources, as well as many other capabilities delivered courtesy of the information superhighway.

“Providing equity of access to broadband service for all schools and libraries in Indiana is critical to achieving our educational objectives,” said Dr. John B. Keller, director of Learning Technologies for the Indiana Department of Education. “This grant will help move us closer to making sure all schools have fiber-based, high-speed broadband access.”

“We are happy to see that Indiana will benefit from the broadband expansion made available from Washington, DC, and the plan proposed by ENA should result in improved access in rural and underserved areas of Indiana,” said Jim Corridan, deputy state librarian, Indiana State Library.

The grant is made possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The project includes an additional $4 million match and brings a combined total of $18.3 million new federal stimulus and private sector dollars to Indiana. Once built, residential and commercial service providers can further leverage this investment to improve access for more than 550,000 Indiana citizens and nearly 32,000 businesses, adds a press release.

“ENA is honored to be the recipient of this BTOP grant,” said David M. Pierce, president and CEO of ENA. “The grant award underlines the exceptional service and value that we have brought to Indiana’s school and library community anchor institutions. We are absolutely committed to a brighter future for all of Indiana’s students and citizens and are excited to begin this project.”