UPDATE, November 1: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved seven more states’ applications for funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program this week.
After the first applications were approved last Friday, NTIA announced seven more approvals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.
Like the awards announced last week, the awards come from the first round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made more than $800 million (of the total $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program) available to states.
The seven states approved this week are as follows (the original four are shown below, with the original story):
Alabama: $13,702,566
- Support digital workforce development
- Expand opportunities to learn online safety and privacy
- Expand access to computing devices
- Expand online accessibility of government services
Connecticut: $9,183,114
- Create an urban and rural Digital Navigator Pilot program
- Develop a digital equity curriculum covering basic digital literacy, online safety, digital citizenship, information literacy, and the use of AI tools
- Create a searchable database that identifies and categorizes digital equity resources
Minnesota: $12,033,288
- Pilot a Digital Opportunity Leaders Network to combine local energy, regional expertise, and statewide continuity
- Create a directory of Digital Opportunity resources
- Explore potential models for a program similar to the Affordable Connectivity Program, a statewide technology helpline and a state-managed system to loan large-screen devices
New York: $36,984,641
- Fund new and existing programs that distribute new and refurbished devices, such as computers or laptops
- Fund tech support programs as a job-readiness pathway
- Develop digital safety trainings that protect against stolen data, scams, surveillance, and online harassment
Utah: $7,795,149
- Create community digital independence training opportunities for Utah residents with statewide availability
- Streamline the process for refurbishment and redistribution of state-owned devices to fulfill community needs and maximize use of existing devices
West Virginia: $9,011,588
- Launching a Digital Skills program to provide training, education, and online resources
- An affordable device program to provide eligible residents with devices
- Funding for local governments to create digital equity plans tailored to the needs of their constituents
Wisconsin: $13,248,029
- Awarding grants to expand and support digital navigator programs through the Digital Navigator Competitive Grant program
- Offer a Digital Navigator Pilot Program for incarcerated individuals to increase digital skills
Original Story Follows (October 25, 2024)
In three separate announcements today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved four states’ applications for funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.
One announcement said that “States will use this funding to implement their digital equity plans, which outline how they will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.”
The awards include $70 million for California, $22 million for Georgia, $15 million for Indiana, and $8 million for New Mexico.
According to the announcements, the states will use the NTIA digital equity grant funds in a variety of ways:
California: $70,226,453
- Developing a California Connect Corps digital equity capacity grant program to expand statewide and community-based digital navigation and digital inclusion programs
- Developing and promoting digital inclusion tools and best practices
- Securing consumer subsidy program sustainability
Georgia: $22,455,639
- Deploying Digital Navigators to help access online education, health, financial, and government services
- Expanding access to digital devices, such as upgrading public computer labs and device loan programs
Indiana: $15,096,770
- Rolling out large-scale programs, facilitated with other state agencies, focused on telehealth expansion, digital skills for incarcerated individuals, and accessibility of state websites and digital services
- Upgrading state websites for accessibility and usability
- Introducing the Indiana Digital Skills program, a campaign to address connectivity barriers, device access, and digital literacy
New Mexico: $8,673,975
- Conducting stakeholder engagement, education, and outreach
- Evaluating and updating the Digital Equity plan
“The Department of Commerce is not only connecting everyone in these states and across the country to quality, affordable high-speed internet, but also making sure they have the tools and skills they need to make the most of that internet connection,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
The awards announced today come from the first round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made more than $800 million (of the total $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program) available to states.
This news come in the wake of the NTIA’s recent announcement that it has received more than 700 applications seeking more than $6.5 billion for the first round of the Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program funding. The first round makes only $1 billion available.
