Westborough, Mass. – January 29, 2025 – Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) announced $19 million in grants to support participants of the Digital Equity Partnerships Program. The funds will support active digital equity projects focused on delivering training, resources and broadband infrastructure to Massachusetts residents. These projects will distribute upwards of 500 devices, expand the Apartment Wi-Fi program by 4,000 units, and increase digital access for nearly 20,000 residents across the state.
“Massachusetts is committed to closing the digital divide through strategic partnerships that focus on the needs of residents,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “These grants give us the opportunity to ensure that residents across the state have direct access to their professional, health, and social needs, while at the same time driving long-term economic growth through expanded training and education.”
“The Digital Equity Partnerships program leverages the expertise of high-capacity organizations delivering skills training, devices, and Wi-Fi to the people who need it most,” said MBI Program Executive Jody Jones. “Our targeted efforts are making a real impact with the goal of delivering ‘Internet for All’ in Massachusetts. With these grants, Massachusetts is creating economic opportunity and ensuring all residents can fully participate in society.”
The Digital Equity Partnerships Program, created in September 2022, helps qualified organizations execute projects aligned with the objectives set forth in the Commonwealth’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID recovery legislation (Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021). The program is made up of six initiative areas: connectivity for economic hardship (providing ‘hot spots’ to low-income/housing insecure individuals), device distribution and refurbishment, digital literacy, education, outreach, and adoption support, public space internet modernization, and Wi-Fi access.
The additional funding will enable partners to expand their services to reach more underserved communities, such as recent immigrants and individuals living in rural areas.
