Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.7 Million to Connecticut in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Connecticut received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Connecticut is receiving $5,736,568.10 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. Connecticut will receive $5 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grants to fund various activities including:

• Creation of a Five-Year Action Plan that identities Connecticut's broadband access, affordability, equity, and adoption needs;
• Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
• Planning and capacity-building of the state's broadband office;
• Local engagement with unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption

Connecticut will receive $736,568.10 in Digital Equity Act grants to fund various activities including:

• Creation of a Connecticut Digital Equity plan;
• Hiring of a Digital Equity Program Manager and equipping that individual with tools and support to ensure success in implementing the state's digital equity plan;
• Establishing a core digital equity planning team of eight to ten members, including the State's BEAD program lead;
• Conducting a needs and assessment plan;
• Engagement to solicit input from residents and leaders from across the state.