Digital Equity in New York State

The Digital Equity Act is a federal initiative established as part of 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion nationwide. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The three programs are:

• State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program: A $60M formula grant program for states, territories and tribal governments to develop digital equity plans.
• State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: A $1.44 billion formula grant program for states, territories, and tribal governments. It will fund an annual grant program for five years in support of digital equity projects and the implementation of digital equity plans.
• Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program: A $1.25 billion grant program. It will fund annual grant programs for five years to implement digital equity projects.

Helping Your Patrons with New York's "Broadband Census"

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 3:00-4:00PM Eastern

The FCC’s new national broadband map will determine New York State’s allocation of federal broadband funding – it’s crucial that the state be represented accurately so that New Yorkers get their fair share of funding!  Libraries will be critical to this effort.  Join the ConnectALL Office and NY State Library to learn how you can help your community members check their broadband service on the map and submit corrections to the FCC. Every single correction submitted could mean thousands more in funding for New York State – we need all hands on deck!

Broadband Census Recording

Broadband Census Slide Deck

Presentation Links:

• FCC's video on how to submit a challenge
• FCC's National Broadband Map