MEMBER ADVISORY
June 04, 2021
HACU to host virtual briefing for Hispanic-Serving Institutions on the newly funded NTIA broadband program, Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, June 25
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is partnering with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to offer a virtual briefing on the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program grant funding, Friday, June 25, 2021, 12-1 p.m. EDT. HACU member presidents/CEOs, chancellors, and grant administrators are invited to attend the webinar. To register for this briefing, click here.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that became law on December 27, 2020, created the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The $285 million program will provide grant funding to eligible recipients to purchase broadband or eligible equipment, or to hire and train IT personnel.
Eligible entities include Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). A consortium led by HSIs, HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs that also includes a minority business enterprise or nonprofit organization in the anchor community are also eligible to apply for this grant program.
Funding is available for Wi-Fi hotspots; modems, routers, or combined modem/routers; laptops, tablets, or similar internet-connected devices; and any other equipment used to provide broadband.
The briefing will provide an overview of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. Presenters will include: Scott D. Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, Manager, BroadbandUSA Technical Assistance; Gilbert Resendez, Broadband Program Specialist, BroadbandUSA; Kevin Hughes, Broadband Program Specialist, BroadbandUSA; and Francine E. Alkisswani, Ph.D., Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Minority Broadband Initiative,
This briefing is an invitation-only event, intended only for the college and university administrators receiving this email.
For questions about this virtual briefing, please contact the HACU Government Relations office at dcgr@hacu.net. Please note that this briefing will be off-the-record so there will be no recording of the webinar.
HACU Member Advisories are a service of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)