Biden-Harris Administration Approves and Recommends for Award Digital Equity Capacity Grant Applications Totaling More Than $100 Million

$6.5 million for Nebraska, $4.9 million for New Hampshire, $9.9 million for Oregon, $12.8 million for South Carolina, $5 million for South Dakota, $55.6 million for Texas, and $5.2 million for Wyoming

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award applications from Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, allowing them to request access to more than $100 million to implement their Digital Equity Plans. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding is part of the "Internet for All" initiative, a key component of President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda. For a variety of reasons, many Americans struggle to use the Internet connection available to them-for example, some lack the skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online; others cannot afford a computer or tablet at home.

States will use this funding to implement their digital equity plans, which outlines 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.

"Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "We look forward to working with the awardees to ensure all residents have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed Internet - whether it's for work, education, health care, or any other essential service."

These approvals are from the first funding round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made available more than $800 million for states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Native Entities to apply for grants to implement their digital equity plans. These plans were developed under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. Awards of funding will require additional review and approval of State-submitted documentation.

"For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services. These states now can request access to the funds to put their digital equity plans into action," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "The Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills."

"The nearly $5 million investment we're delivering to strengthen New Hampshire broadband services-made possible by the provisions I helped lead in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-will make a real difference for Granite Staters," said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH). "Today's funding will make the internet more affordable and accessible - helping connect Granite Staters in all corners of our state."

"I am proud that South Carolina has been awarded $12.8 million in funding for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant," said Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-6). "The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Digital Equity Capacity funding brings us one step closer to providing resources to community organizations to help scale digital literacy programs, reskill the workforce, and expand affordability and access to broadband technology for all South Carolinians. These programs give people the skills they need to effectively use the internet that is rapidly being deployed across the state."

"High-speed internet is a necessity to people across our state to connect workers to jobs, students to online resources, and people to one another," said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7). "I am glad to have voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide this grant funding and help bridge the digital divide. It is critical that all Texans have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet."

"Digital equity means ensuring that our rural and underserved communities can access the high-speed internet that they need to succeed in the digital age of the 21st century," said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-1). "This grant, created and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, will help close the digital equity gap that communities across New Hampshire continue to face, helping our students learn, businesses compete, and Granite Staters succeed. I'll continue working to support smart investments that strengthen our infrastructure and expand access to broadband."

The states will use the funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:

Nebraska: $6,500,627

• Increasing the number of broadband providers in Nebraska offering affordable plans for low-income households;
• Encourage and support the development or expansion of programs that provide digital skills training; and
• Support efforts by Nebraska hospitals, healthcare providers, associations, and other stakeholders to increase the use of telehealth in Nebraska.

New Hampshire: $4,942,018

• Support and expand programs for new and refurbished Internet-enabled devices to ensure safe and effective use; and
• Improve access to and awareness of technical support and training in the use of assistive devices, including assistive technologies for those with disabilities.

Oregon: $9,947,586

• Online safety and privacy trainings, including cybersecurity training as part of digital skills training conducted by selected partners; and
• Encourage adoption of low-cost Internet service options and increase access to affordable computing devices and technical support.

South Carolina: $12,846,583

• Award mini-grants up to $50,000 annually in every county to increase access to Internet-enabled devices, digital skills training, and offer various life-essential training opportunities in such areas as personal finance, healthcare, and education;
• Develop a device recycling and refurbishment program to support distribution to covered households; and
• Establish a digital navigators program that will train individuals on how to work with covered populations to increase digital skills.

South Dakota: $5,010,234

• Partner with organizations to create s Digital Centers as physical sites to help residents with in-person computer classes, assistance with enrollment in Internet subsidy programs, or distribution of refurbished devices; and
• Implement a standardized digital literacy curriculum and digital workforce certificate program to be offered across South Dakota at a variety of publicly accessible locations.

Texas: $55,641,147

• Establish a Digital Opportunity Grant Program to competitively award subgrant funding; and
• Maintain, grow, promote and make accessible a statewide digital opportunity asset inventory.

Wyoming: $5,251,485

• Raise awareness of low-cost broadband service options and promote adoption;
• Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) will include access to computing devices and technical support as a component of its program; and
• WCCC will provide digital literacy and skills and workforce training.

Additional funding opportunities will be available in the future. NTIA will announce State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program awards from this first round of funding on a rolling basis.

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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA's programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.