Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Broadband Initiative Update

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is currently working on a Broadband Initiative to build a fiber network on the US portion of the Akwesasne territory. Broadband research and project development began in early 2008, with federal funding awarded in September 2010.  The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2013. Included in the project are plans to open five Public Computer Center sites throughout the community that will make use of the Broadband fiber network. Local and regional businesses will have the opportunity to provide services such as high-speed Internet, phone, wireless and potentially cable TV services. Local jobs, training, economic development will begin during the SRMT Broadband Initiative and continue on after the project is finished.

The SRMT Broadband Initiative is split into two parts: the first part is the building the network and the second part is the building of the public computer centers. Work to complete both parts of the project has already begun.

Broadband network construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012, and has to be substantially (67%) completed by the fall of 2012. Available services, such as high-speed Internet access, are scheduled to begin during that time, as each phase of the network build out is completed.

Development of the public computer centers has started already. One computer center, located at the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club will be available for use this year, with the remaining computer centers becoming available throughout next year. The computer centers will include access to new computers, digital literacy training, and feature tools such as interactive whiteboards (SMART Boards) and video-conferencing systems. The computer center locations are as follows:  Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club, the Akwesasne Library, Akwesasne Senior Center, the Akwesasne Employment Resource Center and the training facility at the casino administration building

Some of the benefits to the Akwesasne community are: high speed Internet access to home and businesses, job opportunities, training, lower costs for services, digital literacy, distance learning, expanded access to computers and telemedicine.

Access to the Internet is increasingly important in today’s world. Whether you own a small business, need to take an online course, or stay connected to family and friends, Internet access is the key to community growth for Akwesasne in the 21st century. For further information on the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Broadband Initiative, please contact Jamie Bay, Sr. Project Manager, (518) 358-4150, [email protected] or Jason Hall, Project Manager (518) 358-2272 ext. 185, [email protected].