U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Rural Development mission area, has awarded Stanly County Schools a distance learning grant of $447,280.

“Regardless of where you live, all Americans deserve access to 21st Century opportunities and technology,” said Hudson. “This grant will help bridge the gap between students in Stanly County and critical STEM education and job-training programs.”

“We are simply ecstatic about the great news on receiving this grant. It will help provide a platform to ensure equal access to resources within Stanly and across the world. This will help our teachers and students become part of global education communities, creating even greater access to resources,” added Jeff James, superintendent of Stanly County Schools.

This Rural Development investment will be used to help Stanly County Schools build a distance learning program to enhance educational opportunities at 19 school and two hub sites within Stanly County.

Interactive distance learning technology will be used to provide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curricula and STEM-focused professional development courses benefiting 8,338 students and faculty.

As a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Hudson authored part of Congress’s “Principles for Broadband Infrastructure,” which has received national support.