The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, in conjunction with the Jefferson Davis County School District, announced that Jefferson Davis County has been selected for a USDA grant for distance learning and telemedicine service totaling nearly half a million dollars.

The grant is awarded based on barriers that arise from extreme rurality, poverty, and a lack of local resources and was secured by Tim Bryant, Information Technology Director for Jefferson Davis County Schools.

This opportunity will create new and innovative solutions for meeting today’s educational standards to ensure the students have the tools they need to compete for college placement and in the modern workforce.

The Jeff Davis County School District will use the funding for interactive video conferencing to create a rigorous K-12 program that will prepare students for post-secondary education and job training.

Through video connections with partner schools and Pearl River Community College, they will be able to add higher-level courses at the middle and high schools, provide dual enrollment opportunities, and enhance current vocational programs.

This project will create career pathways for students to ensure they leave high school with a plan for success in the workforce.

This investment is provided through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant program.

It provides funding to rural hospitals, clinics, schools and libraries for equipment and technical assistance for telemedicine and distance learning.

Grant recipients must demonstrate that they serve rural America, and prove there is an economic need.