Government Technology
Seattle Invests in Digital Equity: Technology Matching Fund Now Open For Applications
Seattle’s (WA) Technology Matching Fund is now open for applications from community and nonprofit groups for grants of up to $50,000 in service of work that improves digital equity. The city is seeking “applications for projects that increase access to free or low-cost broadband, empower residents with digital literacy skills, and ensure affordable, available and sufficient devices and technical support,” officials announced.
Illinois Puts $420M Toward Broadband Internet Expansion
Gov J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) launched Connect Illinois, a $420 million statewide broadband expansion project included in the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Rebuild Illinois dedicated $400 million to partnering with Internet service providers and $20 million to the Illinois Century Network, which currently services K-12 schools, higher education, public libraries, museums, state and local governments, and the health-care community. To oversee the broadband initiative, Gov Pritzker appointed 25 people from the private and public sectors to a broadband advisory council.
Inside North Carolina’s Push to Close Rural Broadband Gaps
Caught in the crossfire of continued budget negotiations between North Carolina’s General Assembly and Gov Roy Cooper (D-NC) is the expansion of a program funding last-mile broadband infrastructure in the state. Cooper vetoed the budget passed by the Legislature in June. The grant program is one of many facets in the Broadband Infrastructure Office’s (BIO) mission to facilitate high-speed Internet access statewide by June 2021.
Gov Hutchinson (R-AR) Announces the “Arkansas Rural Connect” Grant Program, $25 Million for Broadband Deployment
Following his July 23 announcement establishing the Arkansas State Broadband Office, Gov Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) announced “Arkansas Rural Connect,” a new $25 million grant program within the Arkansas State Broadband Office. The goal is to provide high-speed broadband to rural communities throughout Arkansas by 2022, as outlined in the State Broadband Plan released in May. The Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) program will provide grants to qualifying communities of at least 500 people to deploy high-speed broadband to its residents.
Gov Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) Taps Arkansas' First-Ever Broadband Manager (Government Technology)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 11:46States Step Up in the Quest to Protect Citizen Privacy (Government Technology)
Submitted by benton on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 13:57Utah Expands Teleworking Program After Successful Pilot (Government Technology)
Submitted by benton on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 15:065 Lessons the US Can Learn from European Privacy Efforts
Given that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has fallen short of expectations, policymakers in other countries have an opportunity to do better, rather than repeat Europe’s mistakes. Five lessons to learn: