Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $6 Million to South Carolina in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that South Carolina 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. South Carolina is receiving $5,953,478.05 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. South Carolina will receive $5 million to fund various activities including: Development of a comprehensive Five-Year Action Plan identifying South Carolina's broadband access, affordability, equity, and adoption needs; More precise assessment of the actual barriers residents are facing that impact their ability to access reliable broadband service; Verification of construction as grant funded projects come on-line; Consistent, professional messaging to better inform stakeholders that will contribute to a more collaborative, cohesive Five-Year Action Plan. 

South Carolina will also  receive $953,478.05 to fund various activities including:

• The development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
• Staff recruitment and development;
• Community and stakeholder engagement.