Project purpose: texas college's communities connected project will expand broadband access and provide leadership to the community in the acquisition and use of broadband services

IT will do so for the purpose of higher education by linking professors, students, high schools, small businesses, non-profits, medical services, and families through access to higher levels of broadband, devices, and training needed to staunch the disruptive impact of covid-19 on the highest risk students and community populations in tyler, texas. Activities: texas college's communities connected project will: (1) upgrade its current internet speed and bandwidth on its main campus and extend IT to off campus buildings; (2) partner with residential fixed wireless providers to offer online broadband education, awareness, training, access, and equipment to students and households of tyler, texas and smith county; (3) provide discounted and/or subsidized broadband access and equipment to residents of tyler, texas; (4) provide IT training to small-business organizations in the community; (5) provide training to faculty to maximize the use of distance, remote, online, and in-class technology. (6) evaluation. Additionally, texas college plans to implement several complementary activities. For example, they plan to purchase 2-3 used van which they will outfit as mobile labs and position in low-income neighborhoods. TC will acquire the vehicles, but the investment will amplify the overall impact of the program.outcomes: as a result of implementing the activities, texas college's communities connected project will expand WI-FI capability to students, staff, faculty, and members of the community. Providing online broadband education, awareness, training, access, and equipment to students and households of tyler, texas and smith county will increase digital literacy and technological understanding and support upward mobility and community health.beneficiaries: texas college's communities connected project will serve students, staff, faculty members, and households of tyler, texas, and smith county. The on-campus upgrade will expand broadband access to all students and university stakeholders. Households in tyler, texas and smith county will receive discounted and/or subsidized broadband access and equipment to improve digital literacy, technological understanding, and other training to increase economic development. Broadband education training and awareness will benefit both students, faculty, staff, and community members to help close the divide of digital literacy.subrecipient activities (if applicable): the recipient does not intend to subaward funds.