Federal Grant Puts Tribes on Track to Fast Internet Service
By Ronald Roach
WASHINGTON
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last month a $20 million technology grant for American Indian tribes in rural areas to bring high-speed Internet connections to several communities. The grant is funded through the department's Rural Utilities Division.
The Coeur d'Alene tribe, which is receiving the largest grant at $2.7 million, plans to build a wireless broadband network supported by a tribal community technology center that will house computers and provide free access.
the usage of the Internet and how that usage makes them better, then you only have a bunch of wires," says Hilda Legg of USDA.
The tribes say they hope that having broadband networks will make them more attractive to businesses.
