Grand Canyon Times

The Biden-Harris administration has awarded $10.6 million in grants to five institutions as part of the government’s Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC), including Diné College and Tohono O'odham Community College.

According to CampusTechnology.com, the grants are part of the United States Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) program, with CMC being one of several programs that are part of the White House’s Internet For All initiative supporting high-speed internet planning, infrastructure and adoption across the country.

"This is a huge win for Arizona student success," Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted. “We’ve prioritized the expansion of broadband infrastructure to connect every corner of our state – partners like @CollegeDine and Tohono O'odham Community College are critical to that mission.”

Ducey added in another tweet "as Diné College and Tohono O'odham Community College work to improve digital literacy and inclusion, students and tribal community members will have greater access to get online.”

At Diné College, the grants will be used to fund internet access and equipment as well as to hire and train information technology personnel for the following projects that include connecting the Navajo project touted to improve internet access and investing in both hardware and IT staff aimed at improving educational and economic opportunity on the Navajo Nation.

In a separate post to Twitter, Ducey added "Tohono O'odham Community College will focus on digital workforce development, community connectivity improvement and computer literacy enhancement."

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves also discussed the CMC Pilot Program.

"America's minority serving college and universities are bedrock learning centers that have too often been left behind when it comes to accessing affordable high-speed internet," Graves said in a statement. "The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program enables these institutions to be a resource for access, digital skills training and workforce development programs for students and the community to help level the economic playing field."

Congressman Raul M. Grijalva told Arizona Public Media he is hoping the program will go a long way in closing the digital divide.

“Internet access and education are two of the greatest equalizers for underserved and at-risk communities,” he said. “The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program funding will help close the digital divide and further connect the Tohono O’odham Nation. I’m proud to support the rollout and funding of broadband internet services which will enhance computer literacy and promote digital economic development for Southern Arizona communities.”