Kilmer, Strickland Announce $2.9 Million for University of Washington Tacoma to Expand Broadband Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced $2.9 million in new federal funding for the University of Washington Tacoma’s Connect Across Tacoma project, which aims to address the digital divide in Tacoma, improve broadband access, and educate the community.
“Every day, students in Tacoma are navigating the digital equity gap. In recent years, we’ve seen young people struggling to get online for a class or a telemedicine appointment,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why this investment in high-speed internet connectivity is a big deal. It’ll go a long way in helping our students stay connected to online classes, telemedicine, new work opportunities, and more.”
“Access to reliable high-speed Internet service and digital literacy are essential in today’s world,” said Rep. Strickland. “This federal funding will help ensure more equitable access, and can improve the quality of life for many of our residents.”
The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The Connect Across Tacoma project activities include distributing tablets and laptops to in-need students and patrons by the Black Brilliance Research (BBR) team, enrolling households with Internet subscriptions who would not otherwise have home broadband service, training for students and patrons, and having the Digital Stewards do a 14-week internship to be able to deliver digital literacy training, user support, and broadband adoption support to the broader student and anchor community.