Oregon Institute for a Better Way and National Grange partner, capture FCC grants funds to spread Affordable Connectivity message Oregon Institute for a Better Way
on advocating for the infrastructure
(OIBW) was selected as one of about 200
that will allow broadband service to be
entities to receive grant funds from the
available in every home.”
FCC for an outreach campaign designed
Community Navigators will assist
to inform communities, especially in
in planning, compliance and activating
rural areas across the country, about
their partner network to further promote
the agency’s Affordable Connectivity
awareness of the program that provides
Program (ACP).
subsidies for internet access and devices
Oregon Institute for a Better Way
to those living at or below 200 percent
partnered with the National Grange and the Community Navigator network on a solution to increase awareness and enrollment in the largest broadband affordability effort in the nation’s history. “Our
passion
communities
and
is
to
ensure
serve
our
everyone
of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Huber
has
served
on
the
FCC’s
Households with an individual who
Advisory
is already enrolled in benefits such
Committee and Precision Ag working
as Medicaid, Supplemental Security
group since 2017. She said she is happy
Income, SNAP, Public Housing or the
to see the commission’s investment in
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch
broadband access be multi-pronged.
Program, WIC, Lifeline and others or
Broadband
is aware of and making good use of
Deployment
worked
those living on qualified tribal lands and
broadband
taking part in tribal-specific assistance
infrastructure for more than twenty years.
programs automatically qualify for the
Now it is time to take the next step to
ACP benefit.
“The
Grange
has
programs and monies provided to
for
enhance the quality of life of individuals and communities. This program does just that, and we are honored to be entrusted
bridge the digital divide by supporting
“For many households, the cost of
with funds to provide this outreach in
affordability. We’re proud to take part in
groceries, gas and rent can eat up the
often overlooked communities,” OIBW
this program that we see as a benefit for
monthly budget, putting internet access
Founder and Director Misty Burris said.
qualified individuals to afford service and
out of reach,” said FCC Chairwoman
Burris said the partnership is essential
potentially improve their own education,
Jessica Rosenworcel in the agency’s
health, job potential and more,” Huber
press release announcing the awards.
to the campaign’s success. “Working with an organization like
expansion
of
the
said. “We will never lose focus, though,
Rosenworcel said the affordability
the Grange provides validity to the information and builds on the Grange’s long history of leading the efforts to decrease the digital divide.” The National Grange, with its nearly 1,500 local chapters throughout the United States and more than 130,000 members, will serve as a primary vehicle to deliver the message about the ACP. “Since very close to our founding in 1867, equitable access for rural individuals has been the signature issue for the Grange. The 21st century version of that, which we have been leading not just with rural individuals in mind, is the digital divide,” said Amanda Brozana Rios, who serves as the grant coordinator for the National Grange. National Grange President Betsy
Members of the Oregon Institute for a Better Way and the Community Navigators network stand in front of the Community System Navigators office in Redding, California. Photo by Amanda Brozana Rios
N GOOD DAY! MAGAZINE & V ™
www.nationalgrange.org
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