Program objective

The purpose of the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Programs is to promote the achievement of digital equity, support digital inclusion activities, and build capacity for efforts by States relating to the adoption of broadband by residents of those States. States interested in participating in the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program must first complete State Digital Equity Plans as contemplated in Section 60304(c) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021) (Infrastructure Act or Act), also commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The State Planning Grant Program funds may be used to 1) develop the State Digital Equity Plan of the State, and 2) to make subgrants to community, local, and tribal entities to assist in the development of the State Digital Equity Plan of the State. Digital Equity is fundamentally concerned with promoting full participation in the digital economy and society by all. Achievement of Digital Equity requires strategic investments in human and community capacity. Each State Digital Equity Plan prepared using State Digital Equity Planning Grant funding should include a clear description of the State’s vision for digital equity in the context of its overarching strategy and goals. The statutory requirements for the contents of State Digital Equity Plans are as follows: 1. Identification of barriers to digital equity faced by Covered Populations in the State; 2. Measurable objectives for documenting and promoting, among each Covered Population located in that State; 3. An assessment of how the measurable objectives will impact and interact with outcomes within a State; 4. A description of how the State plans to collaborate with key stakeholders in the State, which may include local institutions, governments, organizations, and agencies; and 5. A list of organizations with which the Administering Entity for the State collaborated in developing the Plan.