TCSF NTIA Grant Program Outline

TCSF received official notice of grant award from the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) in the summer of 1995. This grant brought $126,000 over 18 months to the Tahoe region for use as follows:

• TCSF Internet/CERES Development = $81,000
• TTCN Equipment and Development = $30,000
• Adult Literacy Program on the Internet = $15,000

Funds from NTIA were added to those from the Telecommunications Information Infrastructure Agency Program (TIIAP) grant to further Internet support. A complete record of the NTIA grant process we developed is recorded in How We Are Building Electronic Communications Capacity. Briefly, our grant objectives included the following elements:

A. Tahoe Information Systems for Selected Organizations (also called the Information & Technology Program)

• Complete a user needs survey for approximately 100 organizations to determine potential use of the Internet and the Tahoe Truckee Community Network (TTCN)
• Select 25 organizations to participate in an initial technology development program funded by this grant and described below (see TBWAN)
• Determine if additional equipment is needed for each the organization
• Help each organization to select needed equipment
• Assist in procuring it at favorable prices, if desired (funding is not available for equipment)
• Install and configure equipment at each organization
• Train, encourage and support staff in using TTCN and the Internet, creation of home pages and linked information and use of California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) project of California Resources Agency
• Troubleshoot problems at each organization

B. Public and Organization Internet Access for the Tahoe Region

• Identify Internet access alternatives for the Tahoe region
• Train, support and encourage staff in libraries, community centers, schools and colleges, including as public access points in the Tahoe region
• Produce simple, clear and user-friendly written instruction manuals for public and organization use
• Give public workshops and Internet demonstrations at each public access point within the Tahoe region
• Notify public of TTCN and Internet training and opportunities through press releases and other appropriate communications
• Operate and administer the TTCN
• Establish a point of access for TTCN and the Internet at Lake Tahoe Community College

C. Assist selected organizations with the installation and maintenance of the Tahoe Basin Wide Area Network (TBWAN) to create home pages and information distribution systems

D. Promote Adult Literacy

• Establish at least two public access sites to train adults in a literacy tutorial that utilizes the Internet
  

E. Determine How to Create a Self-Sustaining System and Share Results with Others

• Followup to determine how much each Internet system is being used and survey staff to get their opinions on the system effectiveness
• Assist in completing a cost-benefit analysis for each participating organization
• Produce a detailed report of the overall project, including descriptions, comparisons, and contrasts reviewing the SEDD commercial sector/public sector and the Tahoe non-profit/public sectors to determine feature cost effectiveness and recommendations for achieving financial sustainability