FSU receives $5 million grant to improve internet technology

Fayetteville State University (FSU) received a nearly $5 million grant to launch the university's Expand Deployment of Pivotal Technologies Project. Chancellor Darrell Allison says the $4.9 million grant will help local entrepreneurs learn how to negotiate contracts and will also create a cyber security course for students.

"This award not only provides reliable internet access to our audience, but it will also open doors of opportunity and enable broader collaborations, enhance teaching and learning, bolster economic growth, and help bridge the digital divide that often hinders promising business and entrepreneurship initiatives," said Allison. "Everyone deserves accessible and reliable broadband technology, regardless of circumstances."

Yolanda Robinson, owner of RHD Property is one of the beneficiaries.

"Oh, it has done a lot,” she said. “Just the connections that we have made and the people we have met. It has just been a major help. Because they are showing us how to get contracts.”

This workshop is for those who own construction companies, and they are learning how to get their foot in the door to get construction contracts that are frequently given to companies owned by men.

"And they are looking at not only women, people of color, underutilized businesses," said Shannon Battle, owner of All American Construction & Restoration. "So, they are putting training programs, which is very effective because it allows us to establish relations ships with the owners for these contracts."

The grant money will help 30 businesses in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson counties for the next two years.

"So, these dollars will help our small businesses be able to build capacity. They will be able to have access to tools and resources and access to capital to be able to hire more employees to be able to do the work here," said Tamara Bryant, FSU Business Hub Director.

In addition to expanding the business Hub's ability to help small, minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs grow, the money will provide funding for a new cybersecurity curriculum at FSU.

The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All Initiative that will connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.

"In addition to getting a four-year degree in four years or less here at Fayetteville state university, we are going to have students who have a work experience, sophomore, junior, senior year, they moonwalk across that stage getting their diploma, they have got three or four different high-paying job opportunities," the chancellor.

Founded in 1867, Fayetteville State University is the state's second-oldest public institution of higher education. FSU is a historically black university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. With nearly 7,000 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation.