WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) formally approved $14.1 million to fund digital equity programming proposed by Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Economic Development. Through NTIA’s Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, this funding will support the launch of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI)’s Launchpad program and the expansion of MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning and Implementation programs.
MBI’s Launchpad program will receive $9.44 million to support digital equity efforts at a wide range of organizations serving vulnerable populations, including smaller community-based organizations, non-profits and municipalities. The Municipal Digital Equity Planning and Implementation program will receive $1.44 million to help additional municipalities develop and deploy digital equity plans for their communities. An additional $1.46 million will be used for updating the Statewide Digital Equity Plan and conducting program evaluation. Approximately $1.79 million will be used for grant and program administration.
“Massachusetts is working to close the digital divide so that all residents can use the internet to connect with others, access critical services and conduct their daily lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We thank NTIA for helping our state continue to close digital equity gaps in communities that have been left behind for far too long. With these funds, we will be able to expand training, access and affordability for Massachusetts residents.”
“This digital equity capacity grant will strengthen our efforts to connect communities, grow businesses, and help residents use the internet to advance themselves professionally,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We want to thank NTIA for their critical work and attention to improving internet access, adoption, and affordability in every Massachusetts community."
“High-speed internet access is essential to driving our economy, enabling students, businesses, and workers to meet their daily needs online,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Healey-Driscoll administration thanks the NTIA for this critical investment in Massachusetts, equipping our communities with the tools, support, and training necessary to fully engage in the digital economy.”
“These Capacity Grant Program funds will further cement our efforts to close the Massachusetts digital divide,” said Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Michael Baldino. “By effectively leveraging MBI’s successful approaches and relationships across the state, this new funding will support programs that are critical to reaching our goal of achieving digital equity for all residents.”
"We know that reliable, high-speed, affordable internet service is not a luxury but an absolute necessity for our residents in the 21st century,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to Secretary Gina Raimondo, Administrator Alan Davidson, and all of our federal partners at NTIA for helping us realize our shared vision for internet for all and digital equity across Massachusetts."
NTIA funding will expand skills training, internet devices, and access to broadband services across Massachusetts. NTIA’s grant program focuses on vulnerable populations including incarcerated individuals, residents with language barriers and veterans. The program will also address the needs of individuals in rural areas and Gateway Cities, particularly within Barnstable, Bristol and Worcester counties.
The Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is a result of the Biden-Harris administration’s recent approval of the implementation of $147 million in federal funding to expand internet access in Massachusetts under NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced more than $45 million in grants through the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Program to address unserved and underserved locations across the state.
About the Massachusetts Broadband Institute
A division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability across the Commonwealth. To achieve this, the MBI utilizes state and federal funding to launch infrastructure expansion programs that target areas of the state which lack high-speed internet access, as well as digital equity programs which tackle barriers to internet adoption and increase availability, addressing critical issues around affordability, enhanced public Wi-Fi, the need for internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training. Learn more at https://broadband.masstech.org.
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