NTIA Needs to Hear From You About Two New Digital Equity Programs

On March 1, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) sought public comment on the design and implementation of two components of the Digital Equity Act of 2021 (a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act): the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The goal of the programs is to promote adoption and meaningful use of the Internet among underrepresented communities and populations, including low-income households, veterans, aging individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents and others. The NTIA’s strategy is to engage with partners, stakeholders, and most importantly, individuals with lived experiences who faced challenges of having access to and/or the skills and devices to fully utilize affordable, reliable, high-speed internet, to help achieve President Joe Biden’s goal to close the digital divide and transform the lives of all Americans. "But in order to achieve this objective," the NTIA's request reads, "we need to hear from you." This proceeding is your opportunity to inform how NTIA designs programs that work to achieve this national and community-driven opportunity for change.