BFTDA Technology Development Grants support local initiatives that stimulate the advancement of technology in businesses and communities. The grant program helps to create outreach and training programs to businesses and local governments and stimulates access to broadband technologies in rural and urban areas.
Technology Development Grants:
The BFTDA awarded $2.5 million from the 2004-05 budget year allocation to the Ben Franklin Center for Excellence for Northwest Pa. for costs associated with the Center for eBusiness & Advanced Information Technology (eBizITPA).
eBizITPA was created to advance the understanding and use of e-business and advanced information technology by business and industry, directly and in partnership with economic development agencies, universities and other partners.
With the $2.5 million grant, eBizITPA will solidify and enhance innovative programs launched during its start-up period and will respond to customer and marketplace feedback. The Center will also focus on targeted survey information and the strategic changes which are underway in other economic development activities in both the Northwest Pa. region and across the commonwealth.
eBizITPA will be specifically focused on: technology transfer and advanced IT development, education and training, business competitiveness, talent attraction and retention, and outreach and partnerships.
This is the third award made to eBizITPA by the BFTDA.
The BFTDA awarded $436,896 from the 2004-05 budget year allocation to the Pennsylvania Learning Network (PLN) for costs associated with the development of a statewide computer skills initiative and with Project TIME (Technology Initiatives for Meaningful Employment). Project TIME is a pilot initiative of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) Urban/Rural Partnership.
Project TIME will focus on providing baseline IT skills to 1,000 people located in the cities of Philadelphia and Lock Haven and the counties of Potter and Chester. In addition, the project will introduce the business communities to the ICDL program, which is recognized in more than 140 countries as the standard for basic computer skills certification.
A project match of $1.19 million is being provided by various support organizations.
The BFTDA awarded $100,000 from the 2004-05 budget year allocation to the Bedford County Development Association for equipment and operational costs associated with the Bedford County Wireless Infrastructure Deployment project.
The Bedford County Wireless Infrastructure Project will provide for the deployment of broadband capability in Bedford County in the form of a Wireless Area Network (WAN). The coverage area potentially extends to 19,000 households and 825 businesses in Bedford County. Users will receive services with bandwidth from 256Kb to multiple T1 speeds. Bedford County is currently classified as an underserved region of the commonwealth.
The WAN will utilize unlicensed frequencies with point-to-point, point-to-multi-point, and broadcast zone design configurations that will immediately cover most of Bedford County. The deployment will advance Bedford County's economic development and education opportunities, and will enhance the delivery of health care, local government services, public safety, and will boost the quality of life for many residents.
The project is supported by a private sector match in the amount of $181,200.
