Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.7 Million to Iowa in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awards Iowa with its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Iowa is receiving $5,708,924.00 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet throughout the state. Iowa will receive $5 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grants to fund various activities including:

• Assessments of the impact of the barriers to accessing reliable high-speed Internet service;
• Increasing capacity and staffing of Iowa's broadband office;
• Education and assistance to Iowa communities wishing to communicate their high-speed Internet access needs.  

Iowa will receive $708,924.00 in Digital Equity Act grants to fund various activities including:

• Hiring one full-time staff member to coordinate and lead Iowa's digital equity planning activities; 
• Creation of an Iowa Digital Equity plan;
• Engagement with community anchor institutions, local governments, tribal communities, and non-profits to establish a vision for digital equity and digital inclusion.