$13 million for Alabama and $7 million for Utah
WASHINGTON — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award applications from Alabama and Utah, allowing them to request access to more than $20 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 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.
“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 in Alabama, Utah and 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 Alabama and Utah to ensure residents across the states 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. Alabama and Utah 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.”
“Access to reliable high-speed internet is not a luxury. It is a necessity,” said Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-7). “Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration and National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Alabama can continue to deploy more resources to expand broadband and close the digital divide. These funds will be transformative for our state, and I look forward to working to ensure that they are equitably distributed in places like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and throughout the Black Belt.”
“As we continue making progress toward access to high-speed internet for all of Alabama, securing this funding will help increase digital skills and opportunities for our residents,” said Kenneth Boswell, Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The states will use the funding to implement key digital equity initiatives.
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
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.
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.