This week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that New Jersey received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed internet networks and developing digital skills training programs. New Jersey is receiving $6.09 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed internet service throughout the state.
New Jersey’s Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD)
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs. New Jersey will receive $4.92 million to fund various activities including:
- Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations.
- Publications, outreach, and communications support.
- Technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events.
- Surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption.
Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts. New Jersey will receive $1.17 million to fund various activities including:
- Closing the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan.
- Staff recruitment and development.
- Community and stakeholder engagement.
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more. For more information on the high-speed internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov
We will advise once more information on the programs become available.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.