- Learn to Apply for Fed Grants
- Charter to Provide Discounted Broadband in N.Y.
- $21.6 Million for Mississippi Broadband
- New BEAD Funding Proposal Approvals
- Digital Transformation for Indigenous Libraries
LEARN TO APPLY FOR FED GRANTS
There are several dates for informational webinars that address the federal Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program and its application process.
As the deadline for most applicants is Sept. 23, these webinars offer crucial information to those interested in participating and accessing a portion of the nearly $1 billion in funding made available through this program.
On Thursday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold the fifth part of its webinar series to provide guidance on the application process. The previous parts of this series can be accessed on the NTIA events page.
Another webinar will be held Wednesday, during which NTIA, the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, and the Administration for Community Living will offer information to organizations about the federal grant program. This webinar is focused on supporting organizations including, but not limited to, disability and aging agencies and workforce development professionals.
In addition, NTIA is offering a Wednesday webinar focused on troubleshooting the NTIA Grants Portal. The following week, a Sept. 10 NTIA webinar will address frequently asked questions about the grant program.
NTIA is not the only organization hosting webinars to help guide applicants through this process. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance hosted a summer webinar series addressing the program.
For those trying to learn more about the program, NTIA has also released a one-pager with tips for applicants and the NTIA Technical Assistance Hub hosts various resources.
CHARTER TO PROVIDE DISCOUNTED BROADBAND IN N.Y.
In state news this week, the New York state Public Service Commission (PSC) has reached a settlement agreement with Charter Communications Inc. The agreement requires the company to provide broadband service at a discount to low-income customers who either participate in the National School Lunch Program or receive Supplementary Security Income benefits.
The settlement comes after the Department of Public Service alleged that Charter increased the price of its low-income broadband program from $14.99 to $24.99 per month without PSC approval. The company disputed this claim.
The agreement requires Charter, which is the largest cable provider in the state, to re-establish its low-income broadband program at $15 per month for 50 Mbps download speed for four years to eligible New Yorkers.
$21.6 MILLION FOR MISSISSIPPI BROADBAND
Nine Mississippi broadband expansion projects have been approved for funding through the Capital Projects Fund. The projects will leverage $21.6 million to expand Internet service to about 12,300 households.
“[Broadband]’s a critical piece of infrastructure, and we’re working hard to ensure that every Mississippian has access to it,” Gov. Tate Reeves said in a statement.
This builds on $70.1 million that has already been awarded for 24 other projects through this fund this year. The funding is to be administered by the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi, which is administering several other major broadband investment projects.
NEW BEAD FUNDING PROPOSAL APPROVALS
Three new states have now received approvals on their initial proposals for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding. As of Thursday morning, Michigan, Mississippi and South Dakota as well as the territory of Guam have received approvals.
These entities are the latest in a series of states to see their proposals approved. Earlier this month, Wyoming and New York had their proposals approved. The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program that was enacted through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The entities will receive funding up to the amount they were allocated. That amount is more than $1.5 billion for Michigan, more than $1.2 billion for Mississippi, and more than $207 million for South Dakota. For Guam, the amount is more than $156 million. With these initial proposals approved, BEAD-eligible entities can now start to access funding and move towards plan implementation.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR INDIGENOUS LIBRARIES
Last week, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced nearly $6 million in grants will be invested in programs designed to support essential library services for Native American, Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian organizations. These grants will support a range of library services, from staff training to providing Internet connectivity and computers.
For example, the nonprofit Internet2 announced Tuesday it has been awarded a $249,994 grant from IMLS to enhance the digital capabilities of Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and tribal libraries. Through the Internet2 Community Anchor Program, the Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit will help libraries scale digital transformation. In addition, library staff will have access to free technology training to support communities.
Libraries play an essential part in closing the digital divide, with an increasing role as a provider of technology training and device access.
