Biden administration awards more than $5.7 million to Iowa in 'Internet for All' planning grants - Clay & Milk

Iowa is receiving $5,708,924 successful backing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to program for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet passim the state.  

“Broadband helps make adjacent learning opportunities for kids successful school, expands telehealth options, and helps Iowa’s tiny businesses compete,” said Representative Cindy Axne successful a quality release. “That’s wherefore I’m truthful gladsome to spot astir $6 cardinal that I helped unafraid successful the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law volition spell toward readying and infrastructure to laic the groundwork truthful Iowa tin grow its high-speed net entree for all.” 

All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for readying assistance backing for the Internet for All initiative’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) programme and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for each 56 eligible entities volition beryllium announced connected a rolling basis.   

About Iowa’s Planning Grants 

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program 

The BEAD Program provides $42.45 cardinal to grow high-speed Internet entree by backing planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. 

Iowa volition person $5 cardinal to money assorted activities including:  

• Assessments of the interaction of the barriers to accessing reliable high-speed Internet service; 
• Increasing capableness and staffing of Iowa’s broadband office; 
• Education and assistance to Iowa communities wishing to pass their high-speed Internet entree needs.    

Digital Equity 

The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 cardinal to found 3 assistance programs to guarantee that each radical and communities person the skills, technology, and capableness needed to reap the afloat benefits of our integer economy. The archetypal portion of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to money integer equity readying efforts. 

Iowa volition person $708,924.00 to money assorted activities including:  

• Hiring 1 full-time unit subordinate to coordinate and pb Iowa’s integer equity readying activities;   
• Creation of an Iowa Digital Equity plan; 
• Engagement with assemblage anchor institutions, section governments, tribal communities, and non-profits to found a imaginativeness for integer equity and integer inclusion.