(USDA awards a grant)...It went to the Imperial County Office of Education.

 The US Department of Agriculture announced the I.C.O.E. was awarded a $1 million under its Distance Learning and Telemedicine program. The USDA program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. The OCOE says the funding will allow them to further leverage the BorderLink wireless network infrastructure by providing devices to students living in rural parts of Imperial County. Twenty-two school sites in seven school districts will recieve devices, including Chromebooks and LTE CPE units that wilkl be provided to students in the communities of Calipatria, Heber, Holtville, Imperial, Niland, Seeley, Westmorland and Winterhaven. Through the grant, ICOE says they will improve access to mental health services, and education programs that address substance abuse disorders, enhance CTE STEM learning, and expand workforce training opportunities