Awards fulfill NTIA’s equitable distribution commitment to Tribal governments
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded 28 grants totaling $74,424,986.73 to 28 Tribal entities as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP).
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these new grants bring the total of the program to more than $1.86 billion awarded to 226 Tribal entities. Record investments in high-speed Internet deployment are a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
This funding from President Biden’s Internet for All initiative will help directly connect Tribal households and businesses to high-speed Internet service, plan for future Internet infrastructure investments, and upgrade network equipment.
“Internet access allow us to attend medical appointments, sell products and services across the globe, and further our education. But too many members of Tribal communities are cut off from this essential service,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These grants will bring us closer to closing the digital divide and ensure that Tribal communities are connected to the Internet and everything it has to offer.”
“In today’s world, the digital economy is the economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson. “In order for Tribal communities to thrive, they must have access to reliable high-speed Internet service. These grants will invest in communities to bring more Internet access and build the base for future infrastructure projects.”
These awards are part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to nation-to-nation engagement and an effort to connect everyone in America, including Native Americans and Alaska Natives, to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.
In July, NTIA announced a second Notice of Funding Opportunity for an additional $970 million in funding from the TBCP program. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on January 23, 2024.
The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. The funds are made available from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($2 billion) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($980 million). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $65 billion in funding to connect everyone in America.
These grants fulfill the TBCP’s equitable distribution requirement. This process, laid out in statute and in NTIA’s first TBCP Notice of Funding Opportunity, is intended to ensure that program funding is available to all eligible federally recognized Tribal governments who had a qualifying application. The grants listed below allow for Tribal communities to move forward in planning for future high-speed Internet infrastructure projects or promoting Internet use and adoption.
Alaska
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knik Tribe | AK |
$500,000.00 |
This project proposes to expand broadband use and adoption within the Tribal service area and address the specific broadband needs of approximately 15,000 Tribal members through the completion of a “barrier to access study” and needs assessment to gain insight into current broadband availability and understand how Tribal members currently use broadband. It additionally provides information on what programs the Tribe offers or will offer that could increase adoption. The project will also fund a feasibility study and pre-construction planning towards the establishment of a broadband network access control (NAC) training center to serve as a broadband business incubator for entrepreneurs and Tribal business expansion. |
| Igiugig Village | AK |
$8,000,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will serve 16 Alaska Native Villages and complete in-depth feasibility studies, last-mile design, and construction cost estimates. Throughout the feasibility and design process, expert community planners and facilitators will gather stakeholder input to inform the plan and future grant applications. |
| Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska | AK |
$500,000.00 |
This dual Use and Adoption & Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability project proposes to bridge the digital gap experienced by community members by providing access to broadband-enabled equipment; subsidize broadband service; and implement digital skills training. Additionally, the project will allow the Tribe to plan for future infrastructure projects. |
| Aleut Community of St. Paul Island | AK |
$499,334.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will solve the limitations of current backhaul options to the Pribilofs, providing a scalable, ‘future proof’ solution that is cost effective, commercially scalable and provides 100% Qualifying Broadband Service, consistently, to the community of St. Paul Island. |
| Kawerak, Inc. | AK |
$1,000,000.00 |
This dual Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Planning project will serve two Alaska Native Villages and will consist of Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies which will also include equipment purchases to be used in future projects. |
| Tanana Chiefs Conference Dena'Nena' Henash d.b.a | AK |
$4,500,000.00 |
This dual Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will serve nine Alaska Native Villages and is aimed to complete engineering and CAD drawings for five Alask native Villages. The Infrastructure Deployment project will connect 432 Alaskan Native homes across five Alaska Native Villages via fiber to the premise. |
| Alaska Tribal Spectrum | AK |
$29,500,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project serves 59 Alaska Native Villages and proposes to install a wireless network using a Tribally-controlled 2.5Ghz spectrum and/or subsidize satellite broadband service as an interim solution to directly connect a total of 2,569 unserved Tribal households, 125 unserved Tribal businesses, and 89 Tribal community anchor institutions with qualified broadband speeds. |
| Alaska Village Initiatives | AK |
$7,000,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will serve 14 Alaska Native Villages and will plan, design, and construct last mile wireless deployment infrastructure in 13 of the Alaska Native Villages in the Consortium by utilizing 2.5Ghz licensed spectrum. Additionally, the project will also deploy fiber to the premise in one Alaska Native Village. |
| Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor | AK |
$500,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will upgrade equipment in the current system in order to deliver qualifying broadband service to 72 unserved Tribal households. |
| Benhti Economic Development Corporation | AK |
$999,997.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will serve two Alaska Native Villages and focus on the pre-construction planning, engineering, design, and permitting of last mile network services. The project will create a shovel ready project to build broadband networks in the Native Village of Minto and of the Manley Hot Springs Village. |
| Chugachmiut | AK |
$991,974.00 |
This Broadband Use and Adoption project serves two Alaska Native Villages and will subsidize satellite broadband service as an interim solution for the Native Village of Nanwalek and the Native Village of Port Graham. |
| Huna Totem Corporation | AK |
$2,467,546.00 |
This Broadband Use and Adoption project will provide minimal upgrades to network and customer equipment in addition to providing Native households with three years of subsidies service. |
| Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Tribal Broadband | AK |
$4,500,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will serve nine Alaska Native Villages and purchase and install Starlink to 1,410 homes and 9 community anchor institutions as an interim broadband solution. |
Mary Sattler Peltola, U.S. Representative, AK
“Internet access is no longer just a luxury. Critical information and opportunities, including grants, fishing regulations, job listings, travel arrangements, and more, now often require broadband connections. Studies and projects like this help make sure that Indigenous communities can access the services they need and provide a launching pad for small businesses and innovative ideas. The whole world benefits when Indigenous people can bring their experiences and ideas to the table, and I’m glad to have helped bring over $2 billion in bipartisan funding home to help connect all Alaskans.”
Charles Parker, President and CEO, AVI
“This allows AVI to assist villages in closing the digital divide by providing high-speed internet where the service was previously unavailable. The NTIA grant allows AVI to work with Alaska's most remote villages by providing the technology and connectivity that provides real-time education entrepreneurial opportunities consistent with our traditional values."
Keith Charlie, General Manager, Benhti Economic Development Corporation
“Benhti Broadband Network (BBN) is a Tribal initiative to build a future-proof broadband network that services the interior Alaska communities of Minto and Manley Hot Springs. This work will complete the design, engineering, and permitting documents for the last and middle mile networks that bring next generation broadband to the region. The project's functional outcomes will enable access to any funding source available for the construction of the network.”
Jim Berlin, General Manager, Alaska Tribal Spectrum
“This funding will be used to build the wireless Alaska Tribal Network (ATN) that will deliver high quality affordable mobile broadband and mobile cell phone service starting in 2024 to 59 currently unserved rural ATS member communities representing 2569 Tribal households, 125 Tribal community businesses, and 89 Tribal community anchor institutions. The ATN will use Starlink and other high-speed satellites in combination with the tribal 2.5 GHz spectrum to provide wireless community wide service in their homes, on their phones, and on boats over a large tribal area.
The Alaska Tribal Network will deliver immediate access to telemedicine, job opportunities, improved public safety, and educational opportunities that are so vital for Native communities to compete and thrive in the 21st century. The ATN design offers many sustainable advantages and choices for tribes including affordable widespread mobile coverage, reliable service, tribal revenue, enhanced public safety, and simplicity.
Service is scheduled to be available starting in 2024 offering plans from OptimERA, an Alaskan ISP out of Dutch Harbor Alaska that will manage the overall ATN statewide. The service plans will also qualify for subsidies via the Affordable Connectivity Program. For more information on the benefits of the ATN visit www.aktribalspectrum.org/about-the-AT.”
Arizona
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tohono O’odham Utility Authority, Inc. | AZ |
$499,997.06 |
This proposal for a Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project and includes purchasing inside and outside fiber optic cable and equipment that are in short supply or present supply chain challenges. |
California
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Rural Indian Health Board | CA |
$500,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will complete environmental technical studies and compliance documents, as well as design and engineering to support future deployment of middle mile fiber and last mile fiber to the premise within the Fort Bidwell Indian Community. |
| Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association | CA |
$4,500,000.00 |
This dual Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Broadband Use and Adoption project will serve 9 Tribal Governments and proposes to upgrade fiber network equipment and install wireless infrastructure directly connecting a total of 212 unserved Tribal households and 5 unserved Tribal community anchor institutions with Qualifying Broadband Service. Additionally, the project will support a feasibility study, create a Digital Equity Training Center, disseminate telehealth monitoring devices, distribute community member devices, and provide pre-payment of broadband services. |
Dr. Mark LeBeau, Chief Executive Officer, California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc.
“The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program will have a positive and significant impact on the Fort Bidwell Indian Community and neighboring areas. This project will provide the data needed to make informed decisions on how to build a broadband network for the last-mile fiber deployment to the Fort Bidwell Reservation.”
Lesley Sherman-Hunt, Board Chair, California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc.
“This project lays the foundation for the Fort Bidwell Reservation to have a high-functioning broadband service that will enhance access to telehealth services. It will also make it possible for Tribal residents to access remote work, virtual learning, and workforce training opportunities needed for ongoing economic development and well-being in this community.”
Denis Turner, Executive Director, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association (SCTCA)
“SCTCA and its member Tribes will benefit from the access to this funding. As SCTCA has managed an Internet network called the Tribal Digital Village for 22 years, there is an obvious disconnect between the users of the Internet and those who build it. This funding will allow the SCTCA Tribal communities access to the training technology needed to join the workforce of the Internet future.”
Michigan
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | MI |
$500,000.00 |
This dual Adoption and Use and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability project will enable the awardee to purchase supplies and equipment for telehealth services in addition to completing planning activities such as penetration and other security-related audits for the existing limited network. |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | MI |
$500,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will construct approximately 5 miles of fiber that will connect 84 unserved tribal households. |
| Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | MI |
$500,000.00 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project involves construction work extending nearby mainline existing fiber optic cable infrastructure to the premises and making additions to the network electronics at the nearest locations to serve the premises with FTTP technology. |
Garlin Gilchrist II, Lt. Governor, MI
“These grants will help us continue to close the digital divide in underserved communities and connect families to education, health care and economic opportunity. I am proud that Michigan tribes are competing to bring home federal resources expanding access to high-speed internet throughout Michigan. Governor Whitmer and I will continue working with anyone to connect families and small businesses with reliable, affordable high-speed internet that meets their needs so we can lower costs and grow our economy.”
Nevada
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe | NV |
$498,075.00 |
This broadband infrastructure deployment project will purchase and place equipment on an existing tower and provide 110 Tribal homes with customer premise equipment allowing them to connect to high-speed Internet. |
Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator, NV
“Access to high-speed internet is a necessity. It has been one of my top priorities to connect more Nevadans to broadband, and I’m glad to see funding is coming to increase high-speed internet access for the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. I’ll keep working across the aisle to make affordable, reliable high-speed internet a reality for all Nevada families.”
Steve Millan, CEO, Red Mountain Communications
“The Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of Nevada will leverage the $500,000 TBCP grant award to connect 110 Tribal households with Fixed Wireless high-speed Internet services. As a small and very remote Tribe, this project will deliver critical Internet connectivity needed for our community’s healthcare, education, employment, and cultural preservation services. In addition, our network will be constructed, operated, and maintained by Tribal Members. These network skills will support our ongoing workforce development efforts and future network expansion plans for our neighboring communities. We look forward to working with NTIA to make our project successful!”
North Dakota
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Affiliate Tribes | ND |
$500,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will complete the design of a future wireless network with two RAN sites. Additionally, this project will complete an Infrastructure Survey and an NEPA environmental assessment and will identify partners and all needed permitting so that the Tribe has a shovel-ready broadband deployment plan. |
Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator, ND
“Not only does the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act help repair physical infrastructure like roads and bridges, it also makes critical investments to increase internet connectivity across our state. This award will get the ball rolling toward deploying broadband across Fort Berthold and will provide a roadmap for implementation.”
Mark Fox, Chair, MHA Nation
“MHA Nation is very honored to accept the NTIA grant for expanding ISP Networks to ensure our telecommunications connectivity in the expansion region totaling 500,000 acres or more in tribal territories. This additional funding will benefit our communities with essential high-speed internet to support the MHA Nation's network platforms for public health, emergency response services, and student education. This funding we are accepting will add to the needed infrastructure that is essential for the safety and health of our communities."
Oklahoma
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-Tribal Council Inc. | OK |
$2,500,000.00 |
This dual Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will serve five Tribal governments and is aimed to complete environmental technical studies and compliance documents, as well as design and engineering to support future deployment of a future fixed wireless solution. The Infrastructure Deployment project will connect Native American households, Tribal businesses, and Tribal Community Anchor Institutions within three Tribal communities using an existing network of fixed wireless towers. |
Oregon
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Klamath Tribes | OR |
$500,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability project will fund environmental technical studies and compliance documents, as well as network design and engineering to support the future deployment of a fixed wireless backhaul and last mile fiberoptic network. |
Utah
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shivwits Band of Paiutes | UT |
$500,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will support a 10G copper design project intended for deployment in 2023. The Scope of Work for the Shivwits connectivity project encompasses the design of a fully connected broadband Internet system, servicing the Shivwits Reservation through the integration of Single-mode fiber connection of all residential Tribal housing and major buildings of the Tribal complex, and multiple wireless mesh networks to provide broadband service to outdoor areas including the RV park, Shivwits Park, and the recreation area at the lake by the Kaiva/Essentia Team. |
Washington
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe | WA |
$500,000.00 |
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install two communication shelters and complete site preparation work for future installment of two towers to prepare for broadband deployment to eventually serve 268 unserved Tribal households. |
| Nooksack Indian Tribe | WA |
$468,063.67 |
This Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to purchase equipment that will be used for the construction and maintenance of a future fiber network and to train Nooksack staff in the use and handling of fiber installation equipment and network equipment. |
| Skokomish Indian Tribe | WA |
$500,000.00 |
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install an antenna to provide 2.5 GHz Fixed Wireless Coverage, purchase equipment to construct an additional wireless tower and antenna and install a short hop wireless link antenna and microwave radio to connect 15 unserved Tribal households, 2 community anchor institutions, and 3 tribal businesses. |
Patty Murray, U.S. Senator, WA
“Reliable high-speed internet is a necessity in the 21st century—but unfortunately, it’s still not a reality for many Tribal communities in Washington state. That’s why I pushed hard to secure federal dollars for broadband connectivity in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with a focus on helping Tribal communities, where the digital divide is often most severe. It’s great to see these resources going out the door—these funds are going to make a major difference for families in the Skokomish, Nooksack, and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes, and bring us one step closer to guaranteeing high-speed internet for every community.”
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
“For many Tribal communities in Washington, reliable and affordable broadband access is the key to accessing essential community services and growing their economies. This funding will allow the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and the Skokomish Tribe to connect their households and businesses to the education, telemedicine, and teleworking services they need to succeed in our 21st century economy.”
Wisconsin
Applicant |
State |
Amount |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | WI |
$500,000.00 |
This Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will complete architectural and engineering plans, as well as make purchases of equipment that will be used in the future for broadband infrastructure. |
Tony Evers, Governor, WI
“In this century, high-speed internet is essential for working, learning, accessing healthcare, and staying connected to our communities. I’m proud of my administration’s work to close the digital divide in our state, including expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet to over 395,000 homes and businesses. This $500,000 grant for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will enable us to build upon this important work as we continue our efforts expanding high-speed internet across Wisconsin to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce and economy.”
Internet for All and Investing in America
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands. Visit GetInternet.Gov to sign-up.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and his vision for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up – Bidenomics – is creating opportunity across the country. Already, as a result of legislation passed by President Biden, the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $260 billion in funding for 35,000 infrastructure projects across the country. Companies have announced over $500 billion in investments in the United States since President Biden took office, and the Administration has helped over 20 million households save money on their Internet costs.
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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.