Announcements

CTN Receives The Outstanding Community Connector Award

June 27, 2011- CTN received the award for "Outstanding Community Connector" at the CBAIS Conference in Cleveland, Ohio on June 27, 2011. In recognition of its leadership, vision, and determination to share the benefits of broadband Internet access with all the people of Detroit, the Connect Your Community Project- of One Community in Cleveland, Ohio presented the “Outstanding Community Connector Award” to The Community Telecommunications Network on June 27, 2011.

CTN received the award as a part of its ongoing efforts to collaborate and build upon resources available to provide access to 21st century to the citizens of this region. CTN was the recipient of a grant from the Knight Foundation for network infrastructure to provide broadband service in selected areas of Detroit. The Knight funds were then used as match to get $3.1 million in ARRA-Connect Your Community funds. The Connect Your Community funds are being used for local training and support in partnership with Focus Hope Matrix Human Services and The Child Care Coordinating Council of Wayne County. In addition, Blue Cross/Blue Shield then followed with 1,700 laptops for project participants (See related story). This combination of network access, training/support, and equipment has made the Detroit operation the envy of the other 5 cities in the CYC grant. To date, more than 1,800 people have graduated and become successful broadband adopters in the targeted, low-income Detroit neighborhoods. The combined efforts are changing peoples' lives.

CTN Board Awards New Grants

March 10,2011 - At the March CTN board meeting the board approved new grants to partner organizations. For more information go to the ctnonline.org and click on the Grants Page

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan contributes 1,700 refurbished laptop computers

December 3, 2010 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is contributing 1,700 refurbished laptop computers to the Detroit "Connect your Community" project. CTN is an active partner in the project working to provide wireless broadband service to participants. The contribution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan completes the third leg of this partnership providing access, training and technology to members of the community in areas that have not had services or tools available until now. "We are thrilled to participate in the Connect Your Community project in Detroit, and to partner with the various service organizations in their efforts to engage and empower people as they connect to broadband service and improve their computer literacy," said Bill Toples, BCBSM director of Community Responsibility.

"Connect Your Community" is a multi-city initiative designed to expand broadband Internet training and spur adoption by more than 5,000 Detroit residents. The project has allocated $3 million in funds to work in three designated Detroit neighborhoods served by Focus: HOPE, Child Care Coordinating Council of Wayne County and Matrix Human Services to help low-income households use broadband Internet services. The “Connect Your Community” will serve a total of 20,000 across the country, including Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and Mississippi. The project is an $18.7 million federal award funded by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program award announced in September 2010 by the U.S Department of Commerce.