Biden-Harris Administration Approves and Recommends for Award Digital Equity Capacity Grant Applications Totaling More Than $68 Million

$4.8 million for Delaware, $12.7 million for Louisiana, $14.2 million for Missouri, $11.2 million for Oklahoma, $15.8 million for Tennessee, and $9.8 million for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award applications from Delaware, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico allowing them to request access to more than $68 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, along with Puerto Rico, 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."

"As we use federal infrastructure funds to connect everyone in our state to high-speed internet, we also need to make sure Delawareans have both the skills and equipment to get the most benefit," said Delaware Governor John Carney. "This Digital Equity funding will help us do just that, with a focus on traditionally underserved communities. We will invest in job training for Delawareans to pursue technology careers, as well as invest in supports at our libraries and community organizations."

"The Missouri Department of Economic Development's Office of Broadband Development is excited to receive this award. The funds provided by this program will help improve access to digital opportunities for all Missourians," said Missouri Office of Broadband Development Director BJ Tanksley. "The State will use these funds to improve broadband affordability, increase access to technology, and ensure Missouri's workforce is well equipped to continue being a national leader in economic performance."

"This grant will enable us to develop digital literacy programs for key industries like healthcare, education, agriculture, and government," said Director of the Puerto Rico Broadband Program Michelle Cabiya. "This milestone ensures essential workers like nurses, doctors, caregivers, teachers and more-gain the skills needed to thrive in today's digital world, fostering inclusion and empowering Puerto Rico's workforce."

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

Delaware: $4,816,482

• Digital navigators and assistants will help library patrons build their digital skills and locate needed services.
• DE Dept. of Labor will offer training to the IT industry in wrap-around services for eligible clients and will market the program.

Louisiana: $12,727,887

• Establish a Statewide Framework for Digital Skills Attainment; monitor and promote ongoing activities related to digital skill development throughout the public sector to help residents identify and access digital skill training
• Develop a statewide strategy for creating sustainable access to low-cost technology and devices

Missouri: $14,237,940

• Create a local program to support affordability, digital skills and access to low-cost, large screen devices
• Create a Virtual Health Program to increase the telehealth service capacity of the state's medical facilities

Oklahoma: $11,233,311

• Devices for Oklahoman Transformation (DOT) will procure refurbished devices through an outside vendor for community institutions and organizations
• Research on locations with poor health outcomes will be conducted. Subsequently a health organization will be selected to implement the health care van program to expand telehealth services where critically needed

Tennessee: $15,814,288

• TN State Library and Archives Grant (TOP): facilitates interagency agreement for 3 years expanding access to technical assistance especially for aging individuals, covered households, English language learners, and rural residents providing digital skills training and device purchases
• Broadband Access Grant (BAG): a new program partnering nonprofits with ISPs to provide digital skills training, outreach on low-cost Internet options, and free/reduced household broadband subscriptions

Puerto Rico: $9,807,187

• Provide digital literacy skills in workforce development, including training on online security and privacy awareness
• Fund the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service to oversee education and training of IT personnel in the government on cybersecurity
• Address the digital literacy and skills needs through training of older adults and people with disabilities

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.