WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recommended for award more than $250 million to 24 organizations to support digital skills and inclusion projects in communities across the country. These investments will empower individuals and communities across the nation with the essential skills they need to thrive in today’s connected world.
This funding comes from the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Right now, millions of Americans want to use the Internet, but either don’t know how or can’t afford the devices to do so. The Commerce Department is working to get these Americans the skills and technology they need to take full advantage of their Internet connection so they can better their lives and grow the economy for everyone,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Today’s announcement, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a historic investment in getting everyone in America the tools they need to succeed online.”
Many people in America struggle to use the Internet connection available to them—for example, some cannot afford a computer or tablet at home; others lack the digital skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online. Competitive Grant Program funding can be used for a variety of purposes, such as digital skills training, workforce development, access to equipment at low or no cost, or the construction of public computing centers.
“Everyone in America should have a fair shot at participating in the modern digital economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “But all too often those opportunities are out of reach for many among us. NTIA’s digital inclusion grant programs will change that through funding for devices, skills training, and more—so that seniors, veterans and others can fully participate online.”
The funding announced today will support 24 projects across 39 states and territories. Awards will be issued following budget review and processing.
More information about these awards can be found below and on our website.
| Recommended Awardee | Proposed Project Area(s) | Proposed Project Description | Recommended Awardee's Home State |
| Ameelio, Inc. | ID, UT | The proposed project activities include: network upgrade/installation for Idaho Department of Corrections and Utah Department of Corrections; provision of tablets to Covered Populations to complete workforce development training and other services to support reintegration, development of and dissemination of learning criteria for educational services to inmates; and technical/customer support for hardware and technological services. | New York |
| Atlanta Beltline Inc | GA | The proposed project activities include: providing high speed internet access subsidies to directly increase internet access and adoption of broadband; supporting public wifi to directly increase internet access; and providing digital equity and inclusion programming including digital skills development, access to technology, tailored digital skills programs, and career pathway programs to residents. | Georgia |
| Bristol Bay Native Association, Inc. | AK | The proposed project activities include: workforce training for remote and virtual jobs; training in broadband infrastructure management to enhance local expertise and job opportunities; upgrading cybersecurity measures for tribal offices to protect digital infrastructure and data; providing rentable computers and digital tools for libraries to provide continuous access to technology and learning resources. | Alaska |
| California Emerging Technology Fund | CA | The proposed project activities include: connecting low-income households to affordable Internet service plans; delivering Digital Literacy Training to households with verified skills proficiency; and providing a sustainable supply of affordable computing devices for households completing Digital Literacy Training. | California |
| Capital Workforce Partners, Inc. | CT | The proposed project activities include: public access computing center enhancements including support for procurement of upgraded or additional digital equipment, expand facility operating hours on weekends and in evenings, and ensure that personnel such as Digital Navigators are available to provide technical support to users; digital navigation and skills training; and the implementation of an internet access and internet-enabled device distribution program to increase the number of Covered Populations that have affordable and reliable access to the internet within their households. | Connecticut |
| City of Bloomington | IN | The proposed project activities include: provision of devices, digital skills training, technical support trainee training, technical support call center, baseline study and regular reporting; advanced credential training for digital literacy; wraparound services for training participants; and project supervision, management, and reporting. | Indiana |
| City Of Philadelphia | PA | The proposed project activities include: increase access to the internet and devices, as well as other digital inclusion resources; increase digital skill development through basic to intermediate digital skills classes and workshops; and provide professional development and technical support to community-based organizations supporting digital inclusion programs. | Pennsylvania |
| City Of South Bend | IN | The proposed project activities include: funding for a regional Digital Navigator corps; device distribution alongside digital skills training; deploying flexible household technology scholarships to cover digital and technology needs; targeted training investments in device use and workplace-specific skills (e.g., coding, internet safety and cybersecurity training); establishing strategic foundations of governance, fundraising, and programming for a regional digital equity fund. | Indiana |
| City Of St. Petersburg | FL | The proposed project activities include: device distribution; distribution of hot spots/home Internet equipment; digital literacy skills training; and cybersecurity/privacy training. | Florida |
| Clark County Parent | NV | The proposed project activities include: capacity building for County departments and partner organizations, including training-of-trainers, curriculum, and technical support for digital literacy and navigation; device distribution and virtual tech support program including accessible online tools for finding low-cost internet and device options, training, and other resources or benefits; digital literacy and navigation, job related digital skills training, devices, and public computers or wi-fi access tailored to target communities; and activities to promote advanced technology career skills, online entrepreneurship, and small business training for youth, adults, and small business owners to prepare them for greater economic opportunities. | Nevada |
| Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Education | VA | The proposed project activities include: providing support to a statewide group of Digital Navigators, embedded in adult education providers, and equipped with mobile laptop labs; training and ongoing technical assistance to the Digital Navigators; facilitating peer networking activities for Digital Navigators; and data, reports, and evaluation activities. | Virginia |
| Delaware State University | DE | The proposed project activities include: upgrades to existing Delaware State building networks to enable high-speed internet and facilitate educational advancement and digital literacy; training and workforce development related to digital literacy, device distribution; fully equipped educational vehicle with multiple stations armed with technological equipment capable of training individuals in basic computer hardware design, internet structure, navigation, safety, thereby circumventing digital illiteracy and inaccessibility and upgrades to existing parking structures to store vehicles; and a multi-faceted intervention for training, workforce development, digital literacy, and certifications as well as a 24/7 digital outreach to the community providing technical assistance and troubleshooting. | Delaware |
| Denton Independent School District | TX | The proposed project activities include: funding for a full suite of software tools designed to monitor and enhance connectivity, track digital tool usage, and ensure data security and privacy--providing real-time insights into how students, particularly those from underserved populations, are accessing and utilizing digital resources; comprehensive digital audits to assess digital access, tools, and usage patterns; a connected device procurement and distribution activity; digital literacy training; and workshops and outreach events focused on digital literacy. | Texas |
| Goodwill Industries International, Inc. | AZ, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, NJ, NV, NY | The proposed project activities include: digital skills training; workforce development services, provision of free internet access at Goodwill computer centers; provision of free internet access to individuals residing in remote areas with remote Goodwill computer centers; provision of internet-enabled devices to Covered Population individuals; and home internet services assistance. | Maryland |
| Hmong American Partnership | CA, MN | The proposed project activities include: digital literacy training for skills such as internet navigation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, financial literacy, and digital civic engagement; device distribution and internet access through Digital Hubs such as libraries and community centers; and community workshops and mentorships on digital literacy. | Minnesota |
| International Rescue Committee, Inc. | CA, CO, GA, IA, ID, KS, MD, MT, ND, NJ, NY, TX, UT, VA, WA | The proposed project activities include: delivery of culturally and linguistically accessible digital skills training designed for diverse populations, facilitated access to low or no-cost digital devices, and building skills necessary for employment, education, and community participation; facilitated access to low or no-cost digital devices and associated technical assistance for set-up and connectivity; and evaluation. | New York |
| Minnesota State Colleges & Universities | MN | The proposed project activities include: Digital literacy expansion and instruction in college curriculum, train-the-trainer activities, digital navigation services, device distribution, and vouchers to connect unconnected. | Minnesota |
| Montezuma County Mancos School District Re 6 | CO | The proposed project activities include: distributing devices to students to ensure they have the tools needed to complete assignments and access digital educational resources; enhancing classroom technology with internet access to enable interactive lessons and digital literacy training; partnering with local internet service providers to secure affordable or free internet plans for families who do not have access; developing and implementing workshops focused on digital literacy for students, parents, and educators. | Colorado |
| National Black Tech Ecosystem Association | AL, DC, GA, MI, MS, NC, NJ, OH, TN, TX, USVI | The proposed project activities include: establishing digital hubs with high-speed internet, computers, and collaborative workspaces to serve as digital access points; delivering introductory and advanced courses in technology, digital equity, and responsible computing practices; hosting events to connect participants with technology and showcase program achievements; and facilitating workforce placements to provide direct pathways to employment. | Tennessee |
| National Digital Inclusion Alliance | AK, AL, AR, AZ, GA, ND, NY, OH, OK, OR, WA | The proposed project activities include: the expansion of Digital Navigator Programs that provide community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and development of digital skills; training and professional development for Digital Navigators; distribution of hotspots; and development of sustainability action plans, individual site, and model program evaluation plans. | Ohio |
| National Lead For America, Inc. | KS, AK, AL, AR, ID, MO, MT, OH, PA, VA, VT, WA, WV | The proposed project activities include: funding to support an expansion of the American Connection Corps (ACC) program, which builds a locally-rooted workforce in digitally disconnected communities across the US. Each of the “ACC Members” (“Members”) completes a yearlong paid service placement with a nonprofit or local government that leads digital equity activities in a community that the Member is closely connected to. The activities also include support to build out ACC curriculum and to comprehensively measure the impact of ACC Members' service to communities over each service year. | Kansas |
| Niagara University | NY | The proposed project activities include: technology improvement for public library including computers that can be "checked out" for home use, an expansion of its hotspot program, workstations for conferencing for job interviews and other virtual appointments; digital literacy skills training; healthcare-specific digital literacy skills training; cybersecurity training; upgrades to design, construction, and facilities and equipment of a public computer center; and online training modules for workforce development. | New York |
| Regents Of The University Of Idaho | ID | The proposed project activities include: deployment of portable WI-FI boxes to deploy free public access points in rural communities without anchor institutions to address internet affordability; refurbish functional devices for redistribution to covered populations to reduce the digital divide; funding University of Idaho Extension’s Digital Economy Program to continue providing online digital skills classes and expanding staffing to include 12 Digital Opportunity Program Coordinators in communities with high poverty levels, all focused on increasing digital resilience and safety online. | Idaho |
| University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences | AR | The proposed project activities include: expanding HIPAA-compliant telehealth access at community anchor institutions, such as senior-focused community centers and libraries across Arkansas, improving the availability of, and affordability of access to, fixed and wireless broadband technology; offering comprehensive digital literacy training focused on healthcare related digital skills (e.g., using mobile health devices, understanding telehealth platforms) and basic digital literacy (e.g., WIFI, cybersecurity, online privacy) through in-person and virtual modalities at equity access points; and facilitating enrollment in broadband, device assistance programs, and hot spot lending to increase broadband adoption in underserved communities. | Arkansas |
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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.