More Success Stories

Broadband Community Connect Grant Program

Air Advantage

Need
Air Advantage was started in June, 2002 by Zimco, a family owned corporation, and is located in Frankenmuth Michigan. Zimco was doing work with the local schools and saw a need for their students. They did not have access to Broadband in their homes. Zimco realized that this access was paramount to the success of their school children. Not only were the students suffering, but businesses in the community needed this vital service to compete in today's market. Businesses were considering closing up shop due to the cost of a T-1 and lack of other affordable broadband service.

How Rural Development Helped:
The USDA Rural Development awarded two Community Connect Grants in 2003 to Air Advantage: one for Port Hope, Michigan totaling $219,176 and one for Unionville, Michigan totaling $214,532. Both grants provided the funding for a wireless infrastructure as well as a community center hosting ten computers for the residents to access the Internet using high-speed broadband service.

As business began to grow, Air Advantage came back to the USDA Rural Development and "graduated" to the Broadband Loan Program. In 2004, they received a low interest loan totaling $1,500,000 to reach several Michigan communities. Then in late 2005, the company received another loan to expand further totaling $1,028,000.

Result:
Air Advantage service, utilization of Rural Development's resources, and Scott Zimmer's leadership in the community has resulted in improved educational and business opportunities in a region of Rural Michigan. With the connection of schools in seven (7) school districts to Air Advantage's network, students across the region are accessing at least 17 distance learning courses at any given time. Students are able to communicate with students living in different areas to learn about how other children live. Fifty students are taking advantage of the dual enrollment classes, allowing them to take college and high school level courses at the same time. All because of Broadband!

Businesses are seeing the success and benefits Broadband offers as well. At least 20 Air Advantage customers living in remote Northern Michigan are able to eliminate their long commuting times. They are enjoying the benefits of working from home 3-5 days a week. One independent insurance agent in Port Hope, Michigan was doing all of his business on dial-up Internet. It took a full time employee 4-6 hours a day just to download the documents and forms from various insurance companies. Today for $55 a month, he receives great service from Air Advantage and is able to keep up with the insurance market using his Broadband connection.

Air Advantage was awarded the US Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. This award is given to companies that have shown excellence in business history and commitment to customers, employees, and the community.

Horseshoe Bend

Need: In 2003, BitSmart, Inc. applied for a grant to provide broadband service to Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. At the time, the remote community of 700 people had little hope of getting high speed Internet any other way. BitSmart was awarded a grant of $104,820. The community and BitSmart worked together to see the community get not only access, but achieve success. Town officials agreed to allow placement of antennae for wireless broadband service on municipal water towers providing coverage for most of the community. Due to school building layout and school board cooperation, the library at the school was established as a community center. Once the platform was in place, BitSmart then had the task of connecting local law enforcement, health care providers, schools and governmental offices with access. At this time, a very innovative approach to providing service to the community and building a customer base was put into play. However, the partnership between the community of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho and BitSmart did not end there!

At the time of award, BitSmart did not have staff or office space in Horseshoe Bend, about 25 miles from their office in Eagle, Idaho. The local school business instructor, with school approval and oversight from the service provider, established the high school business class as the local operations center for BitSmart. Students in this class were instructed in the procedures for operating the business. Initial customer contacts, recording customer orders and the associated flow of these to BitSmart technicians for installation was the first step. Billing routines and record keeping practices, as well as technical support for broadband customers was handled by students. This allowed BitSmart to have a local presence without hiring additional staff or finding remote office space. Service technicians travel from Eagle on a scheduled basis for customer needs. Students gain a volume of real life business experience through customer interaction, office routines and record filing. Oversight of the business operation was done by managers at BitSmart with students and community residents reaping real world benefits. In addition to the availability of high-speed Internet access for Horseshoe Bend and the associated benefits, with community cooperation and involvement, this project results in practical experience and knowledge for students, building a customer base for BitSmart, and continued service improvements. Economic growth and true rural development are the result of grant funds utilized in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. .

Coeur d'Alene Tribe

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is located in the rural area of Plummer, Idaho. Through the largest USDA Community Connect Grant ever awarded, the construction necessary for broadband delivery began in 2003. Today, the benefits of this delivery are clearly realized. A new tribal headquarters has been built with a community center inside, where residents are able to use Internet programs for extended education courses, financial management, and income tax preparation. After school, students arrive to access the many educational resources of the Internet as well. Broadband also brought an opportunity for a tribal website to be constructed and it was, greatly benefiting the entire community. The site includes information on events; tribal government and history; outdoor recreation; links to newspapers and tech news stories; current weather conditions; tribal businesses; employment opportunities; health and wellness programs; and emergency services. Clearly, the tribe took advantage of the opportunity presented by broadband, and the many aspects of their website directly benefit their citizens. The network has over 400 customers and continues to expand, bringing more broadband benefits to more people.