Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director, today announced $740,000 in grants to expand access to educational opportunities. The funding is administered through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
“Through technology, we are able to share knowledge by connecting students and teachers no matter the distance,” said Taylor. “Geographic location should not limit what you can learn. This funding will purchase equipment that provides students access to diverse, high-quality courses to prepare them for the future.”
The following entities received grant funding to upgrade video-teleconferencing equipment, replace failing devices and expand access to state-of-the-art distance learning technology. The new equipment will leverage the state’s existing high-capacity broadband network, which will deliver a more interactive educational experience to students and teachers via the Internet.
North Dakota University System: $267,655 grant. The funding will be used to purchase equipment at four universities and colleges, 20 public schools and two tribal colleges, Cankdeska Cikana Community College and Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College.
North Dakota University System: $237,817 grant. The funding will be used to purchase equipment at four universities and colleges, 18 public schools and the Turtle Mountain Community College.
North Dakota Educational Technology Council: $237,817 grant. The funding will be used to purchase equipment at 37 public schools, including three schools on tribal reservations.
The investments announced today are provided through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which also administers infrastructure programs that fund broadband and rural electric systems to meet the needs of rural communities. To learn more about USDA’s utility programs, please call (701) 530-2037 or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.