Grant to boost Internet reach for Easton schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that USDA is investing $23.4 million in 75 projects in 31 states and the Western Pacific to expand distance learning and telemedicine opportunities in rural areas.
The Easton School District is among the grant recipients, and will receive $499,773 in rural development funds to deploy fully interactive video-teleconferencing equipment at one hub site and 29 end-user sites. This includes 27 public schools, one occupational training center and a Micmac facility (a federally-recognized tribe), to facilitate the inter-exchange and sharing of educational and vocational materials among educators, students and adult learners via the Internet.
“Rural communities often lack access to specialized medical care or advanced educational opportunities necessary for stronger rural economies,” Vilsack said. “These grants will help increase access to health care and many other essential services.”
The school district is one of seven organizations in Maine selected to receive a total of $2.68 million in grant funds for distance learning and telemedicine projects. Historically, Maine organizations have been in the top of the country in terms of these awards, and again this year the state is one of the top three for number of recipients funded.
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “This meaningful $2.68 million in funding announced by USDA Rural Development today represents a major investment in healthcare and education for Maine’s rural and Native American populations. These projects mean that adult learning, mental health services, home healthcare, diabetes management and many other quality programs will be available to residents in Maine’s rural communities without the cost of gas or stress associated with traveling long distances.”
Also awarded in The County was Houlton’s Region Two School of Applied Technology, which received $498,825 to connect the Pleasant Point Adult Education Center on the Passamaquoddy Tribal Reservation and 48 other Adult Education centers, as well as another grant of $499,378 to offer adult classes ranging from basic literacy and high school completion to highly specialized, career-focused training amongst 42 end user sites.
The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine program.
