FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2023

News Media Contact

NTIA, Office of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded $500,000 to the Passamaquoddy at Pleasant Point as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). This new grant brings the total of the program to over $1.734 billion awarded to 133 Tribal entities.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to connecting all Tribal communities to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “This year, we are continuing that commitment by awarding this grant to the Passamaquoddy at Pleasant Point that will help lower Internet service costs for more than 240 Native households.”

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this grant from the Internet for All initiative will support affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet access for 243 Passamaquoddy Tribal households and community anchor institutions, providing qualifying high-speed Internet service for 60 months.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson announced the award to Passamaquoddy Tribal leader, Chief Rena Newell, in a phone call this past Friday.

“Our Tribal communities badly need better connectivity to thrive in the modern digital economy,” said Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson. “Today’s grant to the Passamaquoddy at Pleasant Point will help the more than 240 Native households connect to telehealth, apply for jobs and access educational opportunities.”

“In the 21st century economy, access to high-speed Internet is absolutely essential to business development and job growth in rural areas, and it opens doors to new opportunities in telemedicine and education,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help more members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to reap the benefits of broadband.  We are pleased to see the continued impact of this bipartisan legislation to help close the digital divide and support Maine’s Tribal communities.” 

This award is part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to nation-to-nation engagement and an effort to connect everyone in America, including Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. The funds are made available from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($2 billion) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($980 million).