0809C13033

Project Purpose: Colorado State University (CSU Pueblo)'s "Adelante Connect" project aims to connect Pueblo residents to the internet and actively engage them in the knowledge economy. The purpose of the pilot project is to achieve an improved sense of digital equity, inclusion, and literacy, while building broadband awareness and providing broadband solutions among in-need students, families, and organizations within the Pueblo anchor communities.

The implementation of the project is expected to address key challenges of Colorado State University - Pueblo and target anchor communities, including poverty, lack of access to internet connection, lack of access to computer, smartphone, or tablet, and lack of digital literacy in underserved, low-income neighborhoods.

Activities:
The Adelante Connect project will involve two phases. In Phase I, CSU Pueblo will:
- Conduct a digital ecosystem assessment in year one
- Enhance the broadband capacity of CSU Pueblo Watertower Place downtown campus
- Develop and implement an Adelante Connect digital marketing messaging and advocacy strategy
- Staff a digital communication office to support the digital marketing and messaging efforts needed for program success
- Distribute laptops and subsidized internet service to students within anchor communities
- Staff digital navigators in four anchor community locations
- Implement a robust, reliable broadband connection (minimum speed 100/20 Mbps) for identified students, fully funded through Adelante Connect for the duration of the program.

In Phase II, CSU Pueblo will:
- Launch the digital navigator program in the remaining fifteen eligible census tract areas of the city of Pueblo and Pueblo County (Avondale/Boone)
- Incorporate the healthcare sector in the digital navigator program, providing digital learning, broadband awareness, adoption, subsidies, and devices.

Outcomes:
The Adelante Connect project will significantly improve digital equity, inclusion, and literacy within the target neighborhoods in Pueblo via the CSU Pueblo digital ecosystem. Work at the neighborhood level and with in-need students will improve remote learning, digital literacy, digital inclusion, and digital equity within the community. Robust, reliable, and affordable broadband connectivity and support will be provided to community anchors, student households, and the neighborhoods.

Beneficiaries:
The Adelante Connect project will benefit in-need CSU Pueblo students and in-need anchor community members in communities throughout Pueblo, Colorado. This project will provide an opportunity to reverse the internet access disadvantage in these communities and to provide digital literacy, digital equity, and digital inclusion for these neighborhoods and communities.

Subrecipient Activities:
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.

Colorado State University-Pueblo

TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS IN ANCHOR COMMUNITIES: FOR THE PURCHASE OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE OR ANY ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT, OR TO HIRE AND TRAIN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PERSONNEL; TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING, INCLUDING THROUGH REMOTE INSTRUCTION; TO OPERATE A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE); OR TO OPERATE A TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE LACK OF BROADBAND ACCESS, CONNECTIVITY, ADOPTION AND EQUITY AT OUR NATION¿S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS), TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (TCUS), AND MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSIS), AND IN THEIR SURROUNDING ANCHOR COMMUNITIES. TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING, INCLUDING THROUGH REMOTE INSTRUCTION; AND TO CONSORTIA INCLUDING MBES OR TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS TO OPERATE THAT MBE OR TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY BUILDING THE DIGITAL CAPACITY OF THE ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS AND FURTHERING BROADBAND ACCESS, ADOPTION, AND DIGITAL SKILLS WITHIN THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND IN THEIR SURROUNDING ANCHOR COMMUNITIES.

11.028 - Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Pueblo, Colorado 81001-4901 United States

Single Zip Code

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (NTIA-CMCPP-2021)

COVID-19 $2,999,023 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 01/31/25 to 01/31/26.