SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, KENNEDY ANNOUNCE $9 MILLION FOR NIAGARA UNIVERSITY TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS, DIGITAL EQUITY AND EDUCATION ACROSS NIAGARA FALLS
Funding Comes From Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law Schumer Led To Passage And Will Help Expand Library Services, Computer Infrastructure And Digital Learning To Help Niagara Falls Residents & Schools
Schumer, Gillibrand, Kennedy: Fed $$ Is Closing The Digital Divide In Niagara Falls!
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy announced $9 million in federal funding for Niagara University to expand internet access across the City of Niagara Falls. The lawmakers explained the funding will improve access to internet services by purchasing new library devices, improving public library computer infrastructure, expanding digital literacy training and more.
“Access to the internet is not luxury, but a necessity for modern life. Thanks to the Digital Equity Act I led to passage in the Senate, $9 million in federal funding is headed to Niagara University to ensure people across the City of Niagara have access to reliable internet access,” said Senator Schumer, “These federal resources will help students better access devices such as laptops and tablets to do homework and also improve public library computers, boost digital literacy, expand online safety and cybersecurity training and more. I secured historic investments in bringing high-speed internet access to new communities like Niagara Falls, and now we are making sure that more New Yorkers can use it. This investment will connect communities to vital resources and ensure our communities can be fully connected to the 21st century. I’ll keep fighting to ensure every New Yorker has access to the fast, reliable internet access they need.”
“Reliable internet access is essential to help millions of Americans succeed in their jobs, educations, and daily lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are making transformative investments in broadband infrastructure that will enhance digital literacy, expand educational opportunities, and help close the digital divide in Niagara Falls. I am proud to have helped establish this bipartisan initiative, and I am committed to continuing to fight for policies that will help ensure equitable access to the resources needed for success in the 21st century.”
“Residents of Niagara Falls can now look forward to improved Internet connectivity, empowering individuals pursuing education, opportunities, and online resources,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Niagara University and the City of Niagara Falls will deploy $9.2 million in federal funding to invest in broadband access, training, and digital literacy. This will help level the playing field for people who have been historically unable to access the benefits of reliable internet access, such as receiving virtual healthcare, searching for careers, and engaging with our modern information economy.”
The lawmakers said over the course of 5 year the project will serve an estimated 2,000+ individuals currently without sufficient internet access; and provide computer training including digital literacy, online safety, and healthcare access to thousands of local residents; and estimated 7,000 students in the Niagara Falls City School District will receive digital skills training.
According to Niagara University, the Niagara Falls Access & Education Project will improve digital access and education across the City of Niagara Falls by:
- Allowing students and residents to access devices such as laptops and tablets with Chromebook dispenser lockers. Residents can scan their library card and access up to 200 computers that the library currently uses.
- Providing training opportunities in basic digital literacy and accessing healthcare records online
- Installing library kiosks that include broadband Wi-Fi access. These kiosks will be strategically located throughout the city in census tracts showing the greatest need for digital access.
- Developing a public computer center at Niagara University’s new Academic Innovation Hub
- Centralizing online safety and cybersecurity education initiatives
Devices and adaptive resources are available to residents of the City of Niagara Falls through the Niagara Falls Public Library, Independent Living Center, and Jewish Family Services. The City of Niagara Falls will spearhead the digital access initiatives, while Niagara University will provide education and training in conjunction with Niagara Falls City School District, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Community Health Center of Niagara, as well as senior centers, community based partners with Niagara University students. This collaboration will focus on providing support as coaches and in open labs as well as faculty led micro credentials leading to industry certification. M&T Bank will provide financial literacy workshops.
The award comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program created by the Digital Equity Act, which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law Schumer led to passage in the Senate. Schumer secured $2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to increase access to high-speed internet through digital literacy training, workforce development, devices access programs, and other digital inclusion measures. Schumer additionally announced nearly $670 million in federal funding for broadband infrastructure improvements across New York State last year after securing nearly $42 billion for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to help close the digital-divide in high-cost, unserved and underserved communities.
“Our ability to partner with Niagara University on this grant is another example of the deep partnership we have with the University. This grant will provide digital access to many areas of the City that lack or have limited digital access. We appreciate the support and advocacy of Senator Schumer in helping to secure this much needed funding for our City,” said City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.
“We are extremely grateful to Senator Schumer for his steadfast support in securing funding for yet another vital collaborative community initiative that reflects Niagara University’s Catholic and Vincentian approach to transformative, cutting-edge, experiential education,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “Together, we will continue to strengthen our commitment to community-facing programs that not only benefit the Niagara region but also provide our students and faculty with real-world, impactful experiences that foster greater inclusion, economic opportunity, and community growth."
“As the lead educational anchor institution, Niagara University is proud to convene a diverse group of community partners to address critical barriers to digital equity in the City of Niagara Falls,” added Dr. Karen Kwandrans, Niagara University’s associate vice president of strategic and external relations. “The Digital Equity Grant will pair our students with local organizations through paid opportunities in research, teaching, and coaching, thereby advancing their career exploration and workforce development. Our faculty will play a key role in shaping innovative curricula and microcredential programs – in conjunction with the Niagara Falls City School District, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Niagara Falls Public Library, Independent Living Center, Jewish Family Services, M&T Bank, and others – to address a priority area of concern for residents by providing technology-related education and resources.”
A copy of Schumer’s original letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo below:
Dear Secretary Raimondo,
I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by Niagara University to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (DECGP) for $9,193,543 for the Niagara Falls Access & Education Project.
If funded, Niagara University and its project partners—including the City of Niagara Falls—will address barriers to digital equity long faced by low-income individuals, aging populations, individuals with disabilities, and historically marginalized populations throughout the City of Niagara Falls by delivering reliable broadband infrastructure throughout underserved sections of the City. The University would also provide valuable training opportunities to these populations in basic digital literacy, accessing healthcare resources online, and other accessibility features that will allow them to bridge long standing digital divides.
Specifically, Niagara University would install library kiosks that include broadband Wi-Fi access throughout the eight neediest census tracts of Niagara Falls, an area that encompasses an estimated 7.2 square miles. Residents will further benefit from access to computing devices and internet via development of a public computer center at the University’s new Academic Innovation Hub in the City of Niagara Falls.
Niagara University would also develop corresponding programing in basic digital literacy (including information on navigating a computer, setting up email, safely online, etc.), accessing healthcare resources online (access to digital portals, and finding credible health information online), and use of accessibility features.
Furthermore, 96 participants will complete an Artificial Intelligence Certificate course offered through Niagara University. Additionally, 12,000 (3,000 per year) students in Niagara Falls City School District (74% low-income, 23% students with disabilities, 2% English learners, and 48% from historically marginalized populations) will receive training in how to develop an online presence and protect themselves online.
Currently, training throughout the city for digital literacy is decentralized, unstructured, and not measured. Our project partners who assist covered populations with digital access on a daily basis attest to the inadequacy of current training initiatives to meet the needs of the covered populations in Niagara Falls. The New York State Digital Equity Plan identifies increasing the number of households statewide with broadband internet connections at home as a component of one of its five measurable objectives. This project directly contributes to this initiative.
I applaud Niagara University, the City of Niagara Falls, and all of the project partners for their foresight and sincerely hope the application meets your approval.
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