Nearly $1B available for local digital inclusion projects
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Connecting state and local government leaders
The goal of the new federal grant program is to fund local efforts that provide underserved communities with the tools and skills needed to access high-speed internet service.
“We all know that the internet is now the essential tool for communications in our modern world,” said Alan Davidson, administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, on a call with reporters Tuesday. “It is essential for access to work, access to education, access to health care, access to justice. And yet today, in 2024, millions of people across the country still lack access to a high-speed internet connection or the means or the tools or the skills to use it.”
The Federal Communications Commission puts that number at 7.2 million people. An independent review of FCC data found it to be closer to 42 million people.
Whatever the true number, Congress and President Joe Biden have designated around $90 billion in funding—spread across a plethora of initiatives through the infrastructure law and American Rescue Plan Act—to close the digital divide. On Wednesday, the federal government rolled out one of those programs.
NTIA announced that more than $910 million is now available under the Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program which is part of Biden’s “Internet for All'' initiative. The grant program, according to Davidson, aims “to support projects that help people in need obtain the skills and the technology necessary to reap the full benefits of the digital economy regardless of their background, zip code or circumstances.”
“We know that a connection to the internet is important, but it’s not enough,” Davidson continued. “Americans also need the devices, the skills, the know-how to thrive online and be productive.”
Under the notice of funding opportunity, eligible applicants include city and county governments, tribal governments, nonprofits, community anchor institutions, local educational agencies and workforce development organizations. The 2021 infrastructure law mandates that funding goes to help underserved communities, such as low-income households, aging populations, incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural inhabitants.
“The digital equity funding opportunities we are announcing are designed to lift up those locally tailored, innovative programs that have demonstrated track records in reaching underserved populations,” Lael Brainard, national economic advisor at the White House, said on the call. Such programs “might include training seniors on how to use the internet, or providing tablets … for job training programs.”
Partnerships among entities are allowed. In fact, NTIA is encouraging proposals that demonstrate “a broad partnership of entities with the ability to administer significant resources and address wide-ranging populations,” according to a press release.
In total, the Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. Already, NTIA has awarded millions under the law to states to create digital equity plans. “For the first time in our nation’s history,” Davidson said, “every state and territory has a digital equity plan in place.”
In March, the administration made available more than $800 million to allow states and territories to begin implementation of those digital equity plans. NTIA has awarded Nevada $9 million and Michigan $20.5 million, and will continue to announce awards on a rolling basis.
Applications are due by September 23. NTIA said it expects to start making awards under the notice of funding opportunity later this year.
“The digital equity programs that we are talking about today take a broader look at all of the factors that are needed to make sure people can get online,” said Davidson. “Affordability is a component, but these programs will focus on things like, do people have technology tools, do they have the skills, are they aware of the content that is available online.”
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