The Division of Commerce’s Nationwide Telecommunications and Info Administration (NTIA) introduced that Rhode Island obtained its first “Web for All” grants for deploying high-speed Web networks and creating digital expertise coaching packages beneath the Biden-Harris Administration’s Web for All initiative. Rhode Island is receiving $5,506,100.07 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of inexpensive, equitable, and dependable high-speed Web all through the state.
“The funding for Rhode Island at present is step one to making sure inexpensive high-speed Web is offered to each resident,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated. “This cash will enable the state to conduct the necessary planning and digital fairness work very important to creating this program successful. I thank Governor McKee, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline for his or her dedication to connecting Rhode Island and bridging the digital divide.”
Secretary Raimondo introduced the planning grants on the Windfall Public Library alongside Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline, and Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner.
“Increasing and enhancing web entry helps develop alternative. This can be a sensible funding in upgrading the state’s digital infrastructure,” stated Senator Jack Reed. “This funding will advance a coordinated technique to get all Rhode Islanders linked to high-speed, dependable, inexpensive broadband service and shut the digital divide.”
“Dependable broadband connects Rhode Islanders to work, faculty, and different facets of every day life,” stated Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This federal funding will enable Rhode Island to create a framework that equitably closes the digital divide throughout the state.”
“In the course of the pandemic, households had elevated reliance on broadband connections as entry grew to become important for employment, training and every day actions,” stated Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “We thank the Biden Administration for this funding as it can assist us in our mission to deal with obstacles to connectivity, making certain Rhode Islanders have higher entry to dependable and inexpensive high-speed web and the dear sources and data it offers.”
“The twenty first century financial system is not going to be absolutely accessible till each American has entry to high-speed, dependable, inexpensive web,” stated Congressman Jim Langevin. “With purchasing, banking, training, breaking information, and plenty of authorities packages accessible on-line, web entry should now not be thought of a privilege for many who can afford it. I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is bringing inexpensive broadband to the communities who want it most.”
“The COVID pandemic laid naked simply how deep the digital divide is – and the necessity for motion to handle these inequities,” stated Congressman David Cicilline. “These with broadband entry have been capable of work, store for requirements like meals and hygiene and security merchandise, and attend faculty from residence, whereas these with out broadband merely couldn’t, and have been pressured to go away residence to search out connectivity. Your zip code shouldn’t decide your capability to entry excessive velocity, dependable web. Broadband shouldn’t be an indulgence, and this funding will allow us to begin treating it just like the utility that it’s.”
“Equitable entry to inexpensive, high-quality, high-speed web shouldn’t be solely important to financial progress, it’s a elementary necessity to residing and dealing in at present’s society,” stated Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner. “We thank President Biden’s Administration, Secretary Raimondo, our state’s federal delegation, and our many companions throughout Rhode Island. We’re desirous to swiftly and strategically put this grant funding to good use.”
All 50 U.S. states and 6 territories utilized for planning grant funding for the Web for All initiative’s Broadband, Fairness, Entry and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Fairness Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities might be introduced on a rolling foundation.
About Rhode Island’s Planning Grants
Broadband Fairness, Entry, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program offers $42.45 billion to develop high-speed Web entry by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption packages.
Rhode Island will obtain $5 million to fund numerous actions together with:
- Identification of unserved and underserved areas;
- Capability-building and worker coaching of the state broadband workplace;
- Asset mapping throughout Rhode Island to catalog high-speed Web adoption, affordability, fairness, entry and deployment;
- Assist for the Rhode Island Broadband Growth Program, together with a 5-year motion plan and enhancing a earlier statewide evaluation of infrastructure and Web service availability;
- Refining state targets, rules, priorities and methods for digital fairness;
- Reaching greater than 3,000 folks to higher perceive obstacles to Web entry, affordability, adoption, digital literacy, on-line privateness and cybersecurity, and entry to digital alternatives and gadgets.
Digital Fairness
The Digital Fairness Act offers $2.75 billion to ascertain three grant packages to make sure that all folks and communities have the talents, expertise, and capability wanted to reap the total advantages of our digital financial system. The primary a part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Fairness Act is to fund digital fairness planning efforts.
Rhode Island will obtain $506,100.07 to fund numerous actions together with:
- Growth of a statewide digital fairness plan;
- Interact native and regional stakeholders on Web entry and fairness points;
- Conduct a digital fairness survey and coordinate with native governments to make sure statewide outreach.
Web for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation features a historic $65 billion funding to develop inexpensive and dependable high-speed Web entry in communities throughout the U.S. NTIA lately launched a collection of recent high-speed Web grant packages funded by the regulation that can construct high-speed Web infrastructure throughout the nation, create extra low-cost high-speed Web service choices, and deal with the digital fairness and inclusion wants in our communities.
Moreover, the Federal Communications Fee’s Reasonably priced Connectivity Program (ACP) offers a reduction of as much as $30 per thirty days towards web service for eligible households and as much as $75 per thirty days for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to be taught extra.
For extra data on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Web packages, please go to InternetforAll.gov.
