LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A brand new federal program kicks in just as its predecessor winds down — and Nevada’s among the first to benefit.
On Thursday, the White House announced the state’s getting more than $416 million to improve internet connectivity.
The funding comes from the Department of Commerce’s new “Internet for All” initiative. It provides more than $42 billion to get America connected.
Governor Joe Lombardo’s Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology says it sees two areas of great need.
“For Nevadans that are unserved and underserved, they desperately need affordable high-speed internet services so their kids and their grandkids can have access to online learning resources, so they can access health care they need through telemedicine, and so that businesses can service businesses in ways that most of us take for granted like processing credit card transactions, so folks can work remotely and access higher education and workforce resources, or even if it’s just for keeping in touch with family and friends,” says Brian Mitchell, director of the office.
“Many Nevadans also need a little help affording the monthly cost of their internet service, or help finding a low-cost computer of laptop, or maybe they help learning how to use the internet for things like accessing government services, or online banking while staying safe and avoiding scams,” Mitchell adds.
He says the office is currently identifying both the areas most in need of internet service and enlisting partners to help it achieve maximum connectivity.
“There are unserved communities in all parts of Nevada. So rural and remote areas are unserved, but there are also pockets of unserved locations in or adjacent to some of the more urban areas of Nevada,” says Mitchell. “And so that’s really our goal and part of our process is making sure that we don’t leave anybody behind.”
He says the Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology will need a few months to finalize its initial plans. It expects to make announcements on its initial projects in the next few months.
“We can’t wait to get shovels in the ground and get everyone connected.”
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