The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Northeastern Technical College two grants, totaling $915,256 to build and enhance distance learning networks in Marlboro, Chesterfield, and Dillon Counties.
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced January 19 that the USDA is investing in e-connectivity, which will provide virtual access to job training, educational, and health care opportunities for rural communities.
“Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in creating rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “Connecting rural Americans to quality education and health care services is an innovative and important tool in our efforts to facilitate economic growth, job creation and quality of life in rural America.”
The grant will allow NETC to provide virtual connections between college campuses and learning sites, including area high schools, to deliver educational content to students and teachers, no matter where they are located in the service area. This advance in technology will also provide a community resource for workforce development, job training, community meetings, and continued education for first responders.
“We are really excited that the USDA saw the need and awarded our service area with such an impactful grant,” said NETC President, Dr. Kyle Wagner. “NETC received one of the two highest awards in the United States, and we plan to take advantage of the funding to expand distance learning opportunities, so that everyone, no matter where they live in our service area, can have access to a quality education.”
The USDA announced that they awarded 72 grants totaling $23.6 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. This program invests in equipment that uses broadband to help rural communities connect to educational and health care services. These vital services are part of the foundation of a high quality of life and enable communities to overcome the effects of remoteness and low population density by connecting them to the rest of the world through high-speed internet.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit rd.usda.gov.