A New Age Of Technology Coming To Bad River?
- Friday November 20, 2009 - During Tuesday's council meeting
Jason McDonald brought forward the possibility of bringing wireless
technology to the Bad River Nation. The proposal consists of
working alongside DRAX Wireless in our application for grant
money to set up a wireless broadband system here in Bad River.
He invited the president of DRAX Wireless, Andrew Langum, to
speak a little bit about his company and exactly what this project
would entail. He explained the tribe would pay a total cost of
$22,000 for the preparation of the application. The tribe would
initially have to pay a fee of $12,000 and upon approval of the
grant, we would pay the remainder, which would ultimately be
reimbursed through federal grant money. According to Mr.
Langum, DRAX Wireless has been highly successful in assisting
other communities in obtaining these grants but if our application
was denied the remainder of the total fee would be forgiven. He
further stated this type of venture would be very eco-friendly
because his system would utilize existing structures around the
reservation. This service would bring high speed Internet,
telephone service, and cheaper television programming to the Bad
River people. The tribe would have full ownership of this operation
and it would create many job opportunities. The tribe would also
have the ability to sell their services to the surrounding
communities. You may visit the DRAX Wireless website by clicking
here
