Public Relations and Marketing

Contact: Kevin Nemeth (509-963-1508/fax 509-963-1690/e-mail: nemethk@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - With the support of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded $101,000 to Central Washington University's Open Spaces Technology Center (OSTC). Combined with an earlier U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) grant of $263,465, the OSTC will begin operation with more than $364,000.

"This is a very significant contribution," Jen Gray, CWU interim vice president for university relations, said. "The Gates Foundation is a most respected organization and has a high set of criteria by which it authorizes giving. I'm extremely pleased that OSTC measured up to these standards and that the Gates Foundation sees our cause as worthwhile."

The OSTC is a community-based technology center that will provide computer access and training in Kittitas County. It will include a mobile computer lab and the installation of computers in the Ellensburg Youth Center. The Gates donation is targeted specifically to provide free community access to the Internet and technology, provide opportunities for young people to enhance their performance in schools through utilizing technology and provide computer applications training to non-profit programs.

"The Gates Foundation has a deep interest in bringing technological opportunities to youth, nonprofit organizations and minority populations," explained Kevin Nemeth, CWU's director of continuing education. "Some of the programs we will provide target those needs directly."

Cantwell wrote letters of support for the OSTC to both the Gates Foundation and USDOE. "We are grateful to Senator Cantwell for her support of this project," Nemeth said. "She has taken a great interest in serving underserved populations and her endorsement has been extremely helpful."

Other project goals include providing outreach English as a second language education services to area employers with a large Hispanic workforce, encouraging integration and implementation of instructional technology into public school curriculum and providing training in computer applications for businesses.

Central's project partners are WorkSource agencies (primarily People for People), Phoenix Economic Development Group, Yakima Valley Community College, Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, City of Ellensburg Recreation Department and the United Way of Kittitas County. The project is expected to begin early in 2002

* * *