5109C13019

Project Purpose: Norfolk State University (NSU): Establishing a Smart Campus and Community (SMARTCOM) aims to expand broadband access and connectivity on campus and provide subsidized broadband services for students. It also aims to broaden remote instruction, workforce development, and adopt broadband internet services in anchor communities to decrease the lack of internet access, provide needed resources to the university, and improve economic challenges for members of the anchor communities.

Activities: The NSU: Establishing a Smart Campus and Community (SMARTCOM) intends to conduct the following activities:

1. Increase broadband access to the NSU campus and the anchor communities through the Cox Communications partnership. This will be achieved by installing core fiber infrastructure to all buildings on campus, providing commercial bandwidth speed with fiber directly into business locations, and subsidizing student broadband access.

2. Create workforce development and experiential learning opportunities for NSU students through the recreation and reinforcement of existing partnerships with Norfolk City School. This will help prepare NSU and community students for STEM/IT/cybersecurity careers.

3. Partner with local churches for off-site training and digital inclusion programs for anchor community residents and eligible students. This partnership will provide high-quality technical assistance for broadband internet access service, equipment distribution, and an intensive individualized care management process for families and individuals. It will also address social, behavioral, and physical drivers impacting their health and self-sufficiency. Additionally, technical assistance areas will be provided to aid anchor community businesses in stabilization and expansion.

4. Expand the NSU Innovation Center by using broadband to increase the training services offered to entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses (MBEs) in the Norfolk area.

Outcomes: As a result of implementing the project, NSU will improve the broadband network and access to support its campus and anchor communities. It will also enhance workforce development and student experiential learning opportunities for the local K-12 school district and independent schools. Furthermore, a faith-based service center will be established to offer digital inclusion programs, and the NSU Innovation Center will be expanded to increase access to training services for entrepreneurs and MBEs in the Norfolk area.

Beneficiaries: The NSU: Establishing a Smart Campus and Community (SMARTCOM) will benefit the college, students, local MBEs, and residents in the community surrounding St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. The project will increase workforce development through skills training and help decrease the digital divide through network expansion for students and residents.

Subrecipient Activities (if applicable): The subrecipient consortium members are Cox Communications, providing broadband service; Smartech Nexus Foundation (501C3 and MBE), providing anchor community engagement; Sage Service Group (MBE), providing STEM education entrepreneurial support; SD Solutions LLC (MBE), providing project management support and broadband subject matter expertise; and Tier One Two Aspire Leap Inc. (MBE), providing website, marketing, and technical support using skilled students.

Norfolk State University

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]

Norfolk, Virginia 23504-8060 United States

Single Zip Code

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

COVID-19 $3,898,789 (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 01/31/24 to 04/30/25.