Grant could bridge gap for urban residents

By Andrew Krietz | Originally Published: 09/29/10 9:41pm |Modified: 09/29/10 9:47pm | No comments

With a multi-million dollar federal grant in hand, officials hope the information superhighway might be the path toward increasing economic activity and quality of life for urban residents across the state.

The university, in partnership with statewide institutions, including Jackson Community College and Lansing Community College as well as state and local government agencies, received a federal grant of about $5.2 million Tuesday to support communities and its residents in an attempt to increase the state’s broadband use.

The award money will be distributed to cover the cost of people to teach classes, ensure each class can be offered to residents at minimal cost and to cover the cost of evaluating the potential increase in broadband adoption should the program become successful, said Kurt DeMaagd, an assistant professor in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media.

“It’s a nice fit into the overall MSU model — a community outreach and engagement process — (and also) a research project to understand what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

The cities of Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac and Saginaw — otherwise known as “Michigan’s Cities of Promise” — were chosen by Gov. Jennifer Granholm as areas of potential economic growth and targeted for this project, he said.

During the next two years of the project, residents and business leaders will have opportunities to take basic computer training classes, effectively use new media and learn how to use technology to grow business, he said.

“A lot of the education programs are outsourced to these other agencies, (such as Lansing Community College),” DeMaagd said. “(That is to) develop new curriculums, on-the-ground training especially because we want to be sure the content delivered is customized to local needs.”

The grant comes as an addition to two other grants totaling about $12.2 million promoting broadband use across the state, said Pamela Whitten, dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
With the available funding, residents and businesses alike could be better accustomed to information technology and economics, she said.

“I hope it enhances understanding of our commitment to the state of Michigan,” Whitten said. “We seek to reach out throughout the state and contribute in ways that have an educational impact, but we also want to partner to impact the state’s economy — that’s really our mission as a
land-grant university.”

Media arts and technology sophomore Kara Parker said if the grant money is used appropriately, it could have an effect on the state’s future.

“I think it would be helpful as everyone has their own economic system,” Parker said. “If everyone is on the same page, communication would be easier (and more) efficient.”

Staff writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this report.