Biden-Harris Administration Approves and Recommends for Award New Jersey's Digital Equity Capacity Grant Application for More Than $18 Million

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award an application from New Jersey, allowing the state to request access to more than $18 million to implement its Digital Equity Plan. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding is part of the "Internet for All" initiative, a key component of President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda. For a variety of reasons, many Americans struggle to use the Internet connection available to them-for example, some lack the skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online; others cannot afford a computer or tablet at home.

New Jersey will use this funding to implement its digital equity plan, which outlines how the state will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

"Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone in New Jersey and across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "We look forward to working with New Jersey to ensure residents across the state have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed Internet - whether it's for work, education, health care, or any other essential service."

This approval is from the first funding round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made available more than $800 million for states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Native Entities to apply for grants to implement their digital equity plans. These plans were developed under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. Awards of funding will require additional review and approval of State-submitted documentation.

"For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services. New Jersey now can request access to the funds to put its digital equity plan into action," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "The Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills."

"Affordable, high-speed Internet is not a luxury-it is a necessity for participating in the modern digital economy," said Senator Cory Booker. "Yet, the digital divide in New Jersey is widening, and it is leaving more and more of our neighbors without the resources and tools they need to readily access the internet or use other digital technologies. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I helped pass, this $18 million federal grant will help New Jersey take a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and creating a digital landscape that is truly equitable for all New Jerseyans."

New Jersey will use the $18,094,857 in funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:

• Establishing standards in digital literacy for the state's adult learners and offering a tool for measuring skills and progress in learning digital literacy; and
• A competitive subgrant program to awards to increase the skills and confidence of residents in need in using the Internet and devices.

Additional funding opportunities will be available in the future. NTIA will announce State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program awards from this first round of funding on a rolling basis.

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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA's programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.