Is federal broadband funding going to states that need it most?

Digital connectivity is important for everyone to gain access to productivity and life-improving technologies. As we march into the era of generative artificial intelligence and the acceleration of fintech for businesses and personal banking, digital inclusion (DI) becomes an increasingly important topic for community development and economic inclusion. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aims to upgrade and expand infrastructure in the US, ensuring every American has access to broadband. This article compares the IIJA’s DI funding with existing broadband access at the state level. We conclude that states with high broadband gaps received the most funding per capita. Still, there are concerns about factors other than population, such as geographic distance, that may also affect the total cost of broadband infrastructure. A public-private partnership and potentially larger funding might be required to secure the deployment of high-quality internet for all. Overall, funding is highly aligned with broadband gaps. The only state that is on more than one top-demand list but does not make it into the top 10 list for IIJA funding is Oklahoma. But it did not miss by a lot; Oklahoma ranks No. 12 among the top funded states.