Communities Connect Network (CCN) works to ensure digital inclusion and technology opportunities for all residents of Washington State.

CCN Working Towards March Stimulus Proposal!

Communities Connect Network (CCN) is pursuing round two of funding from the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP), a part of the recent federal stimulus package.   We are applying for the Public Computer Center category, which will fund “projects that expand public access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at entities.”  If you’re interested in partnering with us on this application, read on!

Connecting Communities with Opportunities
through Technology

About BTOP

The BTOP program is designed to extend broadband access to unserved areas, improve access to underserved areas, and expand broadband access to a wide range of institutions and individuals. BTOP priorities include projects that offer the potential for economic growth and job creation, and provide benefits to education, health care, and public safety. The program will support viable, sustainable, and scalable projects.  More information about BTOP can be found at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.

Focus of CCN’s Proposal

Priorities for CCN’s proposal were identified through surveys and meetings with CT providers and refined to fit the BTOP requirements. The proposal focus will be to build the capacity of community technology (CT) providers and their clients to use broadband technology in Washington State through:  1) increasing the sustainability and strength of the CT network through fostering collaboration and resource sharing, 2) increasing the capacity of CT providers to meet the needs of their clients through training, and 3) improving the infrastructure of CT providers (hardware and software).

The role of CCN will be to manage the grant implementation and reporting, coordinate training activities and hardware/software distribution, create partnerships between public computing access sites and content providers, and provide capacity-building support to the CT network. A cadre of trainers will be organized to deliver desired training to CT providers and/or clients.  CCN will also manage the bulk purchase of hardware and software for CT providers.

Application Decision Process and Timeline

CCN will base our decision about additional partners to include based on the following criteria: match with BTOP guidelines and CCN program goals, reasonableness of budget, potential impact of grant funds, organizational capacity, and population served.  In addition, we will try to include a balance of partners across Washington State.

The grant will be submitted in March 2010 and we anticipate federal notification by September 2010. (Note:  We are basing these assumptions on the timeline for round one.  NTIA has not announced the timeline for round two.)  Funding for two years can be requested through this program.  We will notify partners about whether they will be included in this proposal (and their budget allocation) by end of February.  Since the application requirements for round two may be somewhat different than round one we may need to request more or different information at that time.

If you are interested in being a part of this grant opportunity, please contact Karen Manuel.

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Thanks to everyone who attended our June 12th Washington State broadband stimulus and community technology work session. Video of the presentation and work groups reports are available on Ustream, and photos of the event now on Flickr. We're on twitter too.

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It's simple...

... those with greater access to the internet and information technologies are better equipped to access quality educational and career opportunities, better health care and information, and generally greater success in Washington’s 21st century society and economy.

People with access can also get more involved -- in their schools, in their governments, in their communities. Unfortunately, Washington State is a long way from having fair access for all.

We are a statewide coalition of public & private organizations committed to provide local technology access, training, and content to underserved and disadvantaged residents of Washington State.

Our mission? To ensure Washington is a leader in digital inclusion by strengthening the community technology field.