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

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Oregon received 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. Oregon is receiving $5,782,193.00 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. For the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, Oregon will receive $5 million to fund various activities including:

• Supporting development of a comprehensive, informed Five-Year Action Plan, Initial Proposal, and Final Proposal, maximizing the impact of BEAD funds to improve broadband access and resilience throughout Oregon's unserved and underserved communities;
• Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
• Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption;
• Publications, outreach, and communications support.

For Digital Equity Act planning efforts, Oregon will receive $782,193.00 to fund various activities including:

• Having the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) onboard the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council (OBAC), a diverse membership representing key broadband stakeholders and is tasked in statute as the planning and oversight body for Oregon's Digital Equity program;
• Help close the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
• Hiring one full time Broadband Equity Specialist to manage the planning and engagement process.