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Nevada has become the first state to receive funding through the federal government’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
A $9 million award to Nevada has marked the first time a state has received funding through the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, a $1.44 billion program created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Nevada’s funding from the program, which is one of three created by the Digital Equity Act, was announced by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA).
With the announcement, NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said Nevada now has the funds to begin putting their statewide digital equity plan into action.
According to the NTIA, Nevada plans to create a public Digital Equity System Asset Map and formulate a statewide curriculum for digital skills training. Additionally, the money will go towards providing increased access to devices and tech support, the creation of a Digital Equity Dashboard and Digital Equity Investment Map, promoting community Wi-Fi at local anchor institutions, increased access to devices, and the creation of a device distribution ecosystem, the NTIA’s June 26 release stated.
Senator Jacky Rosen expressed pride for efforts to help Nevada secure the funds.
“All Nevadans deserve access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet, which is why I’ve been leading the efforts in Congress to deliver historic funding for our state to make sure every household is connected,” Rosen said.
The State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is described as a “key component of President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda,” according to the NTIA release.
As a result of the award issued to Nevada, a $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program will be established within 30 days, as required by law.
The grant program “will make hundreds of millions of dollars available in the first Notice of Funding Opportunity to implement digital equity projects,” according to the NTIA’s June 26 release.
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