Los Angeles, New York Win $29 Million in Broadband Grants

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2010 – The Commerce Department announced broadband investments totaling more than $29 million in two of the nation’s largest urban cities – New York and Los Angeles.

The grants will fund computer training and provide about 30,000 computers to middle school students and their families with an eye on boosting their online access to educational, employment and health information.

New York’s NYC Connected Learning project plans to provide computer training, desktop computers, educational software and free broadband access for one year to more than 18,000 low-income sixth graders and their families in 100 public middle schools in New York City.

Non-profit Computers for Youth will conduct computer training for parents and students in English, Spanish and other languages. The Commerce Department anticipates that as a result of this project, more than 12,000 households will subscribe to broadband beyond the free year-long subscription period.

In California, Computers for Youth will partner with the Los Angeles Unified School District to increase broadband technology awareness, aid students and increase family involvement in their children’s education through computer and Internet tools, according to the Commerce Department.

The project will provide 15,000 sixth-grade students and their families with computer training, after which they will receive a refurbished computer with educational software. Approximately 8,000 households are anticipated to become new broadband subscribers thanks to the project.