Story: Lisa Sollie
Access to the internet is not just a convenience —it’s a necessity. For years, residents in rural Sumter and Greene counties in Alabama have faced slow or nonexistent internet connections, limiting their access to education, employment, and healthcare. Two years ago, the University of West Alabama (UWA) received $1.65 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) to tackle this issue, offering new hope to the region.
As part of the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) pilot program, the grant funds Starlink broadband installation and digital equipment distribution, commonly referred to by program leaders as Zoom carts. Utilizing Zoom, a leading video communications platform that connects people through video, voice, chat and content sharing, and a computer, residents have been using these resources for internet access to do school work, download recipes, and even participate in online exercise classes.
Allison Brantley, project director of the grant and director of economic development for UWA’s Division of Economic and Workforce Development, announced that the grant—originally set to end on November 30, 2024 —is extended to November 30, 2025. According to Brantley, this extension will enable UWA to expand broadband access, further, distribute more digital equipment, and establish Wi-Fi hotspots in community town halls and centers.
While these initiatives are critical in addressing the digital divide, UWA recognizes they are only the beginning. Rodney Granec, executive director of UWA’s Office of Sponsored Programs, Research, and Outreach and the grant project manager, emphasizes that bridging the gap requires more than technology. “These communities need fiber-optic infrastructure from internet providers — a development that, so far, has been slow to arrive.”
Granec explains that the challenge lies in the high costs and logistical difficulties that prevent major providers from prioritizing rural areas. In the meantime, he and his colleagues focus on ensuring their digital training programs empower residents to use the internet more safely and efficiently. Despite the ongoing connectivity challenges, these efforts are designed to open new doors for education, employment, and healthcare.
In Gainesville, Alabama, internet access has become essential for maintaining health and well-being. Through Starlink, satellite internet developed by SpaceX, and a partnership with Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative, an OnMed Care Station was recently set up at the Gainesville Municipal Complex. This telemedicine station provides residents with the same healthcare services they would receive in a traditional doctor’s office, but via a virtual interface.
Additionally, the complex now features a Zoom cart, allowing seniors to participate in online exercise classes. Burnell Turner, a local resident said the classes help her stay active. “I think offering this at the center is great. It’s something us seniors need to maintain a healthy body and keep us moving,” Turner said.
In Boligee, Alabama, a small group of seniors is learning to hone their digital skills under the guidance of Hayden McDaniel, UWA’s digital technology coordinator. Many are newcomers to the internet, picking up practical skills such as sending emails, listening to music, and researching. For some, it’s their first step into a digital world they never imagined possible.
Rosie Mayes recalls that when McDaniel first arrived at the Boligee Community Center, her biggest challenge was overcoming fear. “You’re scared because you think you’re going to mess something up,” Mayes admits. “But once you get comfortable using the iPad, you can always go back and figure out what went wrong.” Today, Mayes uses her newfound skills to search for recipes, health information, and sewing patterns. “You’re never too old to learn,” she says with a smile.
Dorothy Carlisle, another senior participant, echoes Mayes’ enthusiasm. “The more I practice, the more I want to use it. I even told my daughter that I want to buy an iPad for myself.”
Samuel Newton, a senior who used an iPad for the first time in January, shares a similar excitement. “This is something I’ve wanted to learn for a while,” he says. “I’m just starting, but I know it will go slow. I want to get up to speed with technology, and now that they’re coming out here to teach us, I plan to order my own iPad and bring it here so they can help me set it up. Today was a good day!”
McDaniel says these hands-on learning experiences are vital not only for keeping up with technology but also for boosting confidence. “It’s not just about teaching technology,” he explains. “It’s about showing these seniors they’re not being left behind. They’re still part of a connected world.”
Granec adds that this digital training is part of a broader effort to create lasting change. “These residents are learning new skills, and that knowledge can be leveraged to bridge the digital divide,” he says. This initiative not only helps seniors adapt to the digital world but also empowers them to stay connected and engaged in an increasingly online society.
Community Support and Broader Impact
Druscilla Jackson, a Sumter County commissioner, is thrilled that residents in her district now have broadband access. “Just the other day, I was at the Panola Community Center, and one woman was recording songs and searching the internet on her phone while a child was doing her schoolwork. Sometimes, families will drive up and access Wi-Fi from their cars. That wouldn’t have been possible before this grant. It’s amazing to have it, and it means even more that it’s my alma mater providing these services.”
The success of this project is reflected in stories from communities like Panola, Gainesville, and Boligee, where technology is transforming lives. Yet, as Granec points out, much work remains. “We’re helping these communities adapt to the digital world, but ultimately, they need the kind of reliable, high-speed internet service that fiber-optic infrastructure can provide. Without that, we’re just putting a temporary bandage on a much larger issue.”
Since the grant began, communities in Boligee, Cuba, Emelle, Gainesville, Geiger, and Panola now have access to Starlink broadband. Zoom carts and equipment, including laptops, have also been distributed to Boligee, Cuba, Emelle, Gainesville, Geiger, Panola, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and the Sumter County Commission Office. Renovations at the York and Epes town halls are still pending before Zoom carts can be set up there.
With the grant extension, UWA is determined to push forward. The goal is to transform rural Alabama into a place where connectivity is a reality. While the road ahead remains long, Granec and his team hope their work will inspire broader change and attract the investment needed to deliver high-speed internet to rural Alabama.
