Biden-Harris Administration Approves and Recommends for Award Minnesota’s Digital Equity Capacity Grant Application for More Than $12 Million

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved and recommended for award an application from Minnesota, allowing the state to request access to more than $12 million to implement its Digital Equity Plan. 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. Minnesota will use the $12,033,288 in funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:

• Pilot a Digital Opportunity Leaders Network to combine local energy, regional expertise and statewide continuity
• Create a directory of Digital Opportunity resources
• Explore potential models for a program similar to the Affordable Connectivity Program, a statewide technology helpline and a state-managed system to loan large-screen devices