gulf badinage: BIT Blog: SD's Broadband Initiative Awards 15 Community Anchor ...

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

BIT Blog: SD's Broadband Initiative Awards 15 Community Anchor ...

Earlier this spring, the South Dakota Broadband Initiative released a grant application for qualifying Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). Today, technology grants for projects exceeding $112,000 were awarded to 15 institutions. Eligible institutions include libraries, medical and healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, public safety offices, government and tribal offices, and community support locations.

The following institutions were awarded funding through the grant application program. Details below include the CAI and total project costs (including the requirement of the CAI providing a 20 percent matching investment).

Beresford Public Library, Beresford ($3,039.55)
City of Brookings, Brookings ($8,414.00)
City of Sturgis, Sturgis ($10,262.00)
Haakon County Public Library, Philip ($2,924.01)
Hamlin Public School District, Hayti ($4,210.20)
Hand County Library, Miller ($6,265.67)
Madison Public Library, Madison ($7,317.60)
Oahe YMCA, Pierre ($11,808.84)
Potter County Library, Gettysburg ($3,272.00)
Redfield Public School District, Redfield ($8,587.80)
Sioux Valley Public School District, Volga ($11,545.80)
St. Joseph School, Pierre ($12,673.44)
Stanley County Public School District, Fort Pierre ($9,866.35)
Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City ($5,760.00)
YMCA of Rapid City, Rapid City ($6,708.20)

Project funding will provide technology improvements in the areas of:

Firewalls (a form of cyber security) to protect computers against malware, spyware, viruses and other threatening content.?
Network switches to ensure uptime and stability as well as increase network speeds and performance.?
Wireless equipment for mobile connectivity and increased performance.?
New or additional laptops and desktops to provide access to broadband services.