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Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.5 Million to Nebraska in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

November 16, 2022

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Nebraska received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Nebraska is receiving $5,598,563.04 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet throughout the state.

"Affordable and reliable high-speed Internet is coming to Nebraska. These new funds lay the foundation to increase the accessibility of Internet service for all Nebraskans, particularly those in rural communities," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I appreciate the work of Governor Ricketts and his team to ensure all Nebraskans are connected to the digital economy, telehealth and education."

All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis. 

About Nebraska’s Planning Grants

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.

Nebraska will receive $4,999,817.07 to fund:

  • Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
  • Capacity building of the state's broadband office;
  • Creating a framework through which grants are distributed to subgrantees based on the structure in place for the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP) grant program;
  • Improved understanding of the specific areas of need for high-speed Internet service;
  • Outreach to communities throughout Nebraska.

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.

Nebraska will receive $598,745.97 to fund:

  • Developing Nebraska's Digital Equity Plan;
  • Community outreach and engagement through public comments, regional or tribal digital equity planning committees, site visits and regional listening sessions;
  • Surveying for digital equity assets to understand barriers to high-speed Internet adoption; 
  • Subawards to Nebraska's eight economic development districts to develop seven regional digital equity plans.

Internet for All

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $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 and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet programs as well as quotes from the awardees, please visit InternetforAll.gov.