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Walter Prescher, a father of twelve, Methodist pastor, and Iraq war veteran with three Army tours, has been working hard to help other veterans and military families across rural areas surrounding Houston get more comfortable using the internet. His deep connection to the community, especially with veterans, makes him a trusted figure as a community resource for people in hard-to-reach areas, teaching them how to use technology to access services, stay in touch with loved ones, and be safe online. For Walter, it’s more than just teaching people how to use a computer—it’s about changing lives. “A big part of what I do is help military families build the lives they want during and after service,” Walter shares. “The internet has been a game-changer for so many of them. From telehealth to staying connected with their benefits, it’s all digital now.” Walter’s military service and familiarity with the community, led the Easter Seals of Greater Houston (ESGH) to hire him as its digital navigator for their community of veterans, people with disabilities, and their families.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) celebrated investments that connected more than 10,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet thanks to Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) funding. Providing access to affordable high-speed internet will benefit more Michiganders with online learning, healthcare and economic opportunities. MIHI is working to create a more digitally equitable Michigan where everyone can leverage technology to improve their quality of life. Connecting these 10,000 homes and businesses is a milestone in what will be a continuation of ROBIN funding bringing broadband connectivity across the state. The second and final round of ROBIN grants has been awarded and will expand the program to invest $238 million in grant funds and an additional $218 in private matching funds to bring high-speed internet access to more than 71,500 previously unserved locations throughout the state. The second round of ROBIN grant awards included $71,776,890.94 in grant funds awarded to 17 total projects from seven applicants who are providing another $86,380,646.20 in matching funds. These projects will connect 16,023 Michigan houses and businesses that don’t have access to high-speed internet. In total, the ROBIN program will provide $238 million in federal funding to support the deployment of high-speed internet throughout the state thanks to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund investment.

The Commerce Department remains committed to economic growth and support for America’s Tribal communities because of President Biden’s leadership in addressing historic inequities. Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to closing the digital divide in Native communities and significant investments have been made in high-speed internet for Tribal communities across America. Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to closing the digital divide in Native communities and significant investments have been made in high-speed internet for Tribal communities across America. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) remains the largest investment ever in high-speed Internet service on Tribal lands. NTIA’s first funding notice resulted in awards totaling $1.86 billion to 226 Tribal entities. These projects have already connected or lowered Internet costs for more than 4,500 Tribal homes, with many more to come. In 2023, NTIA launched a second funding notice, making up to $980 million available for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities for the deployment of Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives. Recently, $72 million to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands was announced as the first reward to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption in Native Hawaiian households.

Read more to learn how NTIA and Native communities are working together – and see the impacts of digital equity in these communities.