This policy brief examines the targeting of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42.45 billion federal initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aimed at expanding high-speed internet access the United States. The analysis links state-designated BEAD-eligible locations to key demographic indicators, focusing on “BEAD clusters” – census block groups where at least half of broadband-serviceable locations qualify for funding. The goal is to examine whether BEAD state plans are directing resources to the areas and populations in most need of support for broadband connectivity. Overall, the results suggest that BEAD will primarily benefit low population density areas where adoption of high-speed broadband is lagging, with limited expected impacts in other areas. A particularly important finding is that, after controlling for other demographic factors, the share of households in poverty is not correlated with priority BEAD areas in plans submitted to the NTIA. This finding raises concerns about whether BEAD will meet its mandate of reducing income-based disparities in high-speed broadband access. At the same time, the findings also point to vast differences in program targeting across states, suggesting that these impacts will be highly dependent on local contexts.

Digital skills frameworks and skill lists can be compared to the instruction you or others provide to better understand what levels and ranges of learning are being offered and achieved…and for users to recognize and celebrate their success! The challenge of articulating what basic digital skills training included and how to measure them at the program or population level led me to partner with Stacey Wedlake at the University of Washington to complete the research “Digital skill sets for diverse users: A comparison framework for curriculum and competencies.” Our report compared six frameworks and nine curricula used locally and internationally. This led to a list of ten skill categories. The skills category list is also provided in the NDIA The Digital Inclusion Program Manual. This has been further developed and used in the Digital Skills Library by WorldEd. This is the second of a two-part blog post on digital skills by the National Digital Inclusion Allaince (NDIA). The first part presented a model to use for digital skill learning purposes, the link between individual and broader field needs, and introduced digital skill assessments, lists and frameworks. Part two explores the available frameworks and skill lists, how to use them, and digital literacy definitions.

Internet connections on Beaver Island (MI) can be hit or miss, and it often depends on whether you can get a cell signal. For years, residents of remote Beaver Island more than 30 miles offshore from the mainland in northern Lake Michigan have said they want better internet access. They specifically want fiber-optic connections to every home, business, and community gathering place. That destination is becoming visible on the horizon. Michigan state officials recently announced a state rural readiness grant for the nonprofit Beaver Island Association to plot a course to extend broadband internet across the community, confirm build-out costs, and establish a township-owned system to provide high-speed internet service. A $43,000 grant to Beaver Island was among $1.3 million in Michigan rural readiness grants announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI). Those funds are intended to help rural communities build capacity, drive economic development and improve quality of life for residents.