FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Hillary Crowder
(703) 351-2086
[email protected]
Arlington, Va. (November 3, 2014)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s Smart Rural Community initiative today announced a new program titled Collaboration Challenge, an opportunity for rural broadband providers to obtain up to $5,000 to deploy broadband-enabled solutions for economic development, education, energy, health care, public safety and other community-oriented initiatives. Applications are due January 31, 2015.
Smart Rural Community seeks innovative, broadband-enabled applications that will improve services and industries in rural areas. Applicants should include application(s) and/or technology intended to be deployed, the purposes intended to be served and a description of collaborative efforts undertaken with other local interests to develop the proposal.
“NTCA is pleased to be able to continue moving the Smart Rural Community initiative forward with the Collaboration Challenge,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “This is a chance for rural communities across the country to highlight the innovative work they are doing and an outlet to continue working to improve education, health care, agriculture and public safety in rural America.”
Applicants must provide a detailed budget and schedule of anticipated expenditures, and must demonstrate at least 50% in matching funds from third-party sources.
In recognition of the association’s Smart Rural Community initiative, dozens of members of NTCA were invited to the White House Executive Office Building for an event hosted by the White House Rural Council on October 28. On Friday, the White House released a blog post about the event.
For more information about the initiative, visit www.ntca.org/smart.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.