The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act identifies Veterans as one of eight “covered populations” and encourages states to research and address the barriers Veterans face in accessing, adopting, and benefiting from internet access and other digital technologies. States’ digital equity plans acknowledge the common challenges facing Veterans and other covered populations while also developing strategies to address the unique needs of Veterans. Some states have revamped existing programs (e.g., adapting an existing digital literacy program to improve the means of outreach and potential partnership with Veteran organizations), while other states have highlighted the need for new expertise (e.g., cybersecurity skills training). Some have brought attention to particularly underserved cohorts such as Veterans living in rural communities and those with lower incomes. Many states—including Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia—reference leveraging existing assets and programs such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Digital Divide Consult and Tech for Troops as options for Veterans to access connected devices and digital skills training. In our review of state digital equity plans, some common strategies emerged. These strategies demonstrate thoughtful and tactical approaches that could potentially yield valuable outcomes. State digital equity plans that are smart and savvy about Veterans’ issues are ones that do several things well. They:

• Link needs assessments to their implementation strategies,
• Leverage other state and federal agencies,
• Identify specific standout partners,
• Design a workforce strategy for Veterans, and
• Prioritize access to health care.

The Federal Communications Commission received 2,734 applications from schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries to participate in the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, representing $3.7 billion in requests to fund cybersecurity projects during the three-year program. During the application filing window—which ran from September 17, 2024 through November 1, 2024—the Pilot Program attracted applications from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, including schools and libraries in both rural and urban communities. This wide range of applicants will help facilitate the inclusion of a diverse selection of eligible schools and libraries with differing cybersecurity needs and experiences as participants in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program. The program will provide up to $200 million in funding to eligible schools and libraries selected to participate in order to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment, while providing the FCC with data to better understand whether and how universal service funds can be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks. The FCC will begin reviewing applications to target funding to as many qualified applicants as possible with a special focus on the neediest eligible schools, libraries, and consortia who will benefit most from cybersecurity funding (i.e., those at the highest discount rate percentages); Tribal entities; and selecting a mix of large and small and urban and rural, schools, libraries, and consortia. Selected Pilot participants and additional information on next steps will be announced in a future Public Notice.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved $157 million in the eighth round of grants for last-mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This continues a rolling process of awards and recommendations. The CPUC also approved a contingent $50 million grant from the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund for Golden State Connect Authority to help expand access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband for rural Californians. Last Mile Federal Funding Account grants include:

• $61 million for five Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grant projects in Amador and Solano Counties, benefiting approximately 10,000 Californians.
• $96 million for three Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grant projects in Los Angeles County, benefiting approximately 1.2 million Californians.

Peoria County (IL) has launched a Digital Equity Pilot program designed to provide low-cost or no-cost internet access to eligible low-income households. The initiative is funded through a $125,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. The importance of reliable internet access became undeniable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it shifted from being a luxury to a necessity for daily life. The Digital Equity Pilot is a response to this growing need, aiming to help residents secure high-speed internet for essential activities such as remote work, online learning, and telehealth services. Led by Peoria County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Unit, the program is being developed in collaboration with the Information & Technology Working Group of the City/County Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity. Peoria County has partnered with leading internet providers—Mediacom, Comcast, Tel-Star Communications, and Mid Century Fiber—to offer packages that meet federal standards, ensuring speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.