Students at Grand Isle School in Louisiana, work on new computers provided by a FRED Technology Grant.

Loretto High School accepts a FRED Technology Grant in 2005.

2012 Technology Grants - Congratulations to our winners!

In early January, FRED awarded $38,000 in grants to rural public schools across the United States.  The grant program, now in its thirteenth year, awards grants to public schools that are working to increase the use of technology to enhance the learning experience.  Since the program’s inception, FRED has awarded more than $740,000 in funding to rural schools. The 2012 recipients of the Technology Grants for Rural schools are: 

Arvig Enterprises, Inc., Melrose Area Elementary School, MN   Grant: $4,129.65
Central State Telephone Company, Necedah Area School, WI   Grant: $2,500
Christensen Communications Company, Madelia Elementary School, MN   Grant: $5,000
Communications 1 Network, West Hancock Middle School, IA   Grant: $2,250
Great Plains Communications Inc., Gordon Elementary School, NE   Grant: $5,000
Nex-Tech, Rawlins County School District - USD 105 Elem., KS   Grant: $5,000
North Dakota Telephone Company, Tate Topa Tribal School, ND   Grant: $4,760
Otelco, Mid-Missouri Division, Pilot Grove C-4 School, MO   Grant: $4,618.99
TDS, Waynesboro Middle School, TN   Grant: $2,250
Wilson Telephone Company Inc., Wilson Elementary School, KS   Grant: $2,500

Technology Grants for Rural Schools program was created to help meet the growing need for innovative technology in the classroom. The grants strive to help public schools in rural areas served by OPASTCO members bring modern computers to every classroom, connect schools to the information superhighway and make sure that effective and engaging software and online resources are an integral part of the school curriculum.

Applications for 2013 will be available in June 2013 with a deadline of late November 2013.

2011 Tech Grant Awards
In 2011, FRED awarded $35,000 in grants to 7 schools in rural areas. Each recipient received a $5,000 grant for new technology. Congratulations to the 2011 Technology Grants for Rural Schools recipients:

Perry Central High School
Nominated by Franklin Telephone Company, MS

Whitefish Township Community School
Nominated by Hiawatha Telephone Company, MI

Schoharie Central School District
Nominated by The Middleburgh Telephone Company, NY

Four Winds High School
Nominated by North Dakota Telephone Company, ND

Oconto High School
Nominated by NSight Telservices, WI

Golden Plains USD #316
Nominated by Rural Telephone Service, KS

Kingsland Elementary School
TDS Telephone Company (Cleveland County), AR

2010 Tech Grant Awards
In 2010, FRED awarded $50,000 in grants to 7 schools in rural areas. Congratulations to the 2010 Technology Grants for Rural Schools recipients:

2009 Technology Grant Recipients

Central Linn High School
Nominated by: Roome Telecommunications, Inc.
Grant: $9,942.49

Children’s Attention Home Charter School
Nominated by: Comporium
Grant: $9,890

Chouteau-Maize Public Schools
Nominated by: FairPoint Communications
Grant: $3,575.26

Community Middle School
Nominated by: United Telephone Company
Grant: $3,572.25

Eden Valley- Watkins High School
Nominated by: Melrose Telephone Company
Grant: $8,028

Jackson Elementary
Nominated by: Southern Montana Telephone Company
Grant: $5,042

Ridge Spring/ Monetta High School
Nominated by: PBT Telecom, Inc.
Grant: $ $4,950

Wynot Public School
Nominated by: Great Plains Communications, Inc.
Grant: $5,000