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(Washington D.C.)- The Department of Commerce announced today that Michigan State University will be awarded $6,056,819 to upgrade and establish public computer centers throughout south and central Michigan at colleges, local libraries, and other public locations. Royal Oak Township Library will receive eight new broadband computer work stations as part of the Recovery Act grant, awarded through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.
“The Michigan State project supports libraries, provides education, increases broadband penetration in Michigan, and bolsters the economic competitiveness of our state at a critical time,” said Rep. Levin.
“I am looking forward to the addition of the new broadband computer work stations in our library,” said William Morgan, Royal Oak Township Supervisor. “They will be a great resource to the youth and citizens of Royal Oak Township.”
The Recovery Act made available $7.2 billion to the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service to fund projects that will expand access to and adoption of broadband services. NTIA is utilizing approximately $4 billion of that funding for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), which provides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.
Non-traditional education methods are in ever increasing demand, especially online education and training offered through libraries and other public institutions. At the same time, providing these training opportunities has strained the capacity of our libraries.
For more information on Recovery Act broadband grants, visit www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandusa
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