NTIA Approves $37 Million in Digital Equity Funds for Two States
Georgia would get $22 million and Indiana $15 million
Georgia would get $22 million and Indiana $15 million
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 – Commerce Department officials announced this week that two more states were approved for access to over $37 million for digital equity programs.
Funding for Georgia and Indiana to implement their digital equity plans will come from the federally funded $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Georgia is slated to receive $22 million while Indiana is set to receive $15 million.
The awards were announced on Friday by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Funding for the grant program came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The states’ respective digital equity plans outline how they will provide technology and skills to residents in order to help them access and use the internet.
The funding came from the first funding round of NTIA’s digital equity program, which allocated more than $800 million for states, territories and tribal entities.
Kaptivate analysis finds some states’ references to rural America dropped 80 to 100 percent
Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah had their final proposals approved.
The approval follows recent elections where two Democrats won seats on the commission. Those Democrats oppose the plan but don't take office until January.
Lawmakers are considering how best to reform the fund.
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