The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Wyoming received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Wyoming is receiving $5,430,005 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
"Bridging the digital divide will ensure equitable access to virtual healthcare services and educational opportunities for all people in the state of Wyoming," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I commend Governor Gordon for his support of Internet for All initiatives."
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About Wyoming Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Wyoming will receive $4,899,999 to fund various activities including:
- Identifying unserved and underserved locations;
- Developing a 5-year action plan;
- Increasing capacity of the state broadband office;
- Asset mapping to catalog Wyoming high-speed Internet service adoption, affordability, equity, access and deployment;
- Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to high-speed Internet service adoption.
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
Wyoming will receive $530,006 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a Wyoming Digital Equity Plan;
- Engagement with community and stakeholders;
- Collection and analysis of data;
- Recruitment of consultants.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov
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