The state of Massachusetts, through its Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at Mass Tech, on Dec. 6 announced $20 million in new grants through its Digital Equity Partnerships Program.
The announcement was made in a press release posted to the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s website.
The announcement began thus: “Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced $20 million in new grants through the state’s Digital Equity Partnerships Program, which supports high-impact and scalable initiatives that reach residents most affected by the digital divide. The grants will fund a range of services, including regional networks of digital navigators who will train individuals in digital literacy, device refurbishment and distribution, neighborhood-scale broadband connectivity, digital education for workforce development, telehealth resource navigation, and a statewide effort to provide free WiFi in affordable housing and public housing developments.”
“The Digital Equity Partnerships Program supports organizations across Massachusetts that help residents build their digital skills and get online so they can participate fully in our state economy, access modern health services, get connected to loved ones, and so much more,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, in a statement contained in the press release. “We are excited to announce today’s grants through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, which will help make technology more accessible for everyone across the state.”
The press release noted that the grant recipients include the following entities:
• AgeSpan, which will receive $3 million;
• The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, which will receive $3.75 million;
• The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which will receive $5.6 million;
• The Metro North Workforce Investment Board, which will receive $4.1 million; and
• UMass Lowell, which will receive $4.0 million.
“These monumental grants ensure that thousands of residents in communities across the state will have the tools and training they need,” said MBI Director Michael Baldino, in a statement. “The digital divide is narrowing, and that is due to our strategic efforts to expand infrastructure and boost access. When high-speed internet is available in a Massachusetts neighborhood, these programs ensure that residents in that neighborhood can take advantage of everything the digital economy has to offer.”
The press release went on to note that “The Digital Equity Partnerships Program launched in September 2022 to support organizations across the state in implementing projects that meet the digital equity goals outlined in the Commonwealth’s 2021 ARPA COVID recovery legislation. The Program is comprised of six initiatives that applicants can focus on within proposals:
1. Wi-Fi Access: Implementing Wi-Fi in affordable housing and/or low-income neighborhoods.
2. Public Space Internet Modernization: Improving infrastructure and resources in public.
3. Connectivity for Economic Hardship: Providing “hot spots” to low-income/housing insecure individuals.
4. Digital Literacy: Establishing digital literacy programs to train populations on devices, resources, and digital tools.
5. Device Distribution and Refurbishment: Securing new and/or refurbished devices for distribution.
6. Education, Outreach, and Adoption Support Initiative: Conducting outreach to increase the success of digital equity programs like the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
The press release noted that “The announcement is the latest in a string of grants through MBI programs and initiatives totaling nearly $40 million in awards this year. In October 2023, the MBI announced over $5 million to the City of Boston to expand digital equity, including $4.55 million from the Digital Equity Partnerships Program and $450,000 from the MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program to assist with broadband and digital equity planning efforts. In April, MBI awarded $14 million for several grants through the Digital Equity Partnerships Program, including projects from Tech Goes Home, Vinfen, and the Western Mass. Alliance for Digital Equity led by Springfield-based Baystate Health. MBI also conducted a statewide Internet for All Listening Tour, meeting with residents, local leaders, and community organizations in every region of the Commonwealth to discuss topics related to digital equity.”
