Infrastructure Bill Promises Historic Boost for Digital Equity

The recently signed $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure package includes $2.75 billion for digital equity and inclusion work, delivering an investment that advocates are calling unprecedented and historic. That number comes within a larger $65 billion sum going toward broadband connectivity. This money is earmarked for organizations at the state and local levels, a key structure choice given that effective digital inclusion programs vary significantly by community according to Amy Huffman, policy director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). The $2.75 billion for digital equity and inclusion is set for two programs made up of grants. First, the money will go toward a digital equity capacity grant program for states. This will enable state government organizations to apply for funds they need to plan digital equity work. Once they have those plans, they can next apply for grant money to implement them. The second program funded by the digital equity section of the infrastructure bill is at the community level. Indeed, money will also go to competitive digital equity grants for community anchor institutions, which vary by jurisdiction but include libraries, public housing, local government, nonprofits and more. Those grants are intended to help with core digital inclusion efforts, including digital literacy training, digital navigation — wherein an expert guides a new user through every step they need to take to get connected — and more.