Clearwater receives telehealth grant

The Foundation for Rural Service, the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural broadband Association, announced recipients of 31 grants totaling more than $142,000 to support projects in communities served by NTCA members – the largest amount ever granted by the foundation.

Grants were announced Nov. 10 in Arlington, Virginia.

The FRS grants, coupled with support from NTCA members, will support a broad range of community projects across rural America – from providing new equipment to local students, expanding digital inclusion initiatives, creating telehealth spaces, supporting public safety and more.

Submitted by Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, with assistance from the village’s economic development director, Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, the vilalge will receive $5,000 for construction of a small private room in the Clearwater Public Library to be used for telehealth, mental health counseling and video calls for individuals and families who do not have access to technology or broadband.

The grant submission is a partnership with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company.

“The community grant program is particularly exciting because FRS multiplies the support NTCA members are already providing in their communities resulting in a larger impact for local schools and nonprofit organizations,” said Pam Becker, executive director of FRS. She continued, “In addition to contributions from this year’s 24 partnering NTCA companies, we are also grateful for extra support from Farm Credit East, CoBank and its funding of the Virtual Living Room program, Womble Bond Dickinson, and the Carri Bennet Rural Economic Development Grant Fund.”

The Virtual Living Room program, sponsored by CoBank, will assist with the award.