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Project-Public Computer Centers Program

Jobs created: NA
Jobs retained: NA
District: Territory Wide
Award Date: 9/13/2010
ARRA Budget: $3,021,867.00

Project Overview

ProjectGallery
Description:
The Public Computer Centers program will provide free access to computers, peripherals and contemporary software in libraries, community centers, boys & girls clubs, and elderly homes. It supports conference centers, workstation carrels, pod workrooms, home telework offices and connection to massive production media distribution for small businesses. This project will provide upgraded equipment to existing public computer centers, as well as the creation of new centers such as conference centers, small and medium centers, micro center multi-purpose "pod" conference rooms and kiosks in public places. This program will also provide computer literacy training as well as technical support for all PCCs. The training program includes telework training to promote the creation of jobs throughout the Territory.
Actual Expense: $4,405,483.00
Overall Status: In progress
Achievements:
  • In partnership with the National Education Foundation, training courses valued at more than $1 million were offered as in-kind match
  • Training was provided to more than 2,500 U.S. Virgin Islands residents in Digital Literacy and other training and employment development and entrepreneurship development programs;
  • The development of 33 PCCs; and,
  • Has a positive impact on the Territory’s economy.
  • Provided locations where individuals who may not have a computer or the ability to connect to the Internet, a public location where they can go and use a computer and connect to the Internet.
  • viNGN partnered with CyberLearning to participate in the St. Croix Curriculum Instruction and Technology Integration Conference that was held during August, in order to highlight Digital Literacy and the BTOP programs
  • VIPFA/viNGN garnered success through its business relationship with Communication Services for the Deaf, Inc.’s Project Endeavor, which donated six (6) new, 64 Gigabit iPads, which were distributed to select PCCs on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The iPads were used to assist deaf and hard of hearing residents to better access and utilize broadband technology and to provide them with overall improved communication capabilities
  • A Government Employee Digital Literacy Department Trainer Orientation session was held from April 30, 2013 through May 3, 2013
  • The team partnered with the U.S.V.I. Division of Personnel, the U.S.V.I. Department of Labor and the U.S.V.I. Bureau of Information Technology to provide “Train the Trainer” Digital Literacy training to two (2) to three (3) employees from each local government department and agency

Benefits of this Project

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  • Increased access to computers for U.S. Virgin Islands residents
  • The training, increased access to computers, and increased efficiencies of government departments and agencies, though difficult to quantify, are nonetheless substantial positive contributors to improving the Territory’s economy and are critical to the Territory’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.
  • 34.50 jobs were created through this project

The training of more than 2,500 U.S. Virgin Islands residents in Digital Literacy and other training and employment development and entrepreneurship development programs


viNGN also partnered and participated in several events to promote use of the PCCs, the Digital Literacy course, the higher-tiered courses and broadband adoption, including;

  1. The “St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce Business Expo”
  2. “An Introduction to Creating an Online Business” seminar held on St. Thomas and St. Croix, in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network.
viNGN also presented at a U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP sponsored Encore Entrepreneurship seminar for senior citizens. In addition, viNGN championed “The Hour of Code” within its 23 PCCs

What are you looking for?

Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority
The Office of Economic Opportunity

32 & 33 Kongens Gade, Government Hill
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 00802
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Fax:
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The OEO's mailing address

Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority
The Office of Economic Opportunity
Post Office Box 430
Emancipation Garden Station
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 00804

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