By: Angela Thi Bennett and Maya C. James  

This digital equity celebration will bring together community members, organizations, and elected officials to highlight Pittsburgh’s digital equity milestones and collective efforts to improve digital opportunities for communities statewide. Here are the details:

Who: Residents, community leaders, elected officials, industry partners, NTIA leadership, and others
When: Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Ammon Community Recreation Center, 2217 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

NTIA will discuss the next stage in the Digital Equity Act grant programs and how states, local governments, tribal entities, and other stakeholders can reduce barriers to digital equity in their communities. Speakers will discuss what resources are available to them and how we can ensure Internet for All.

As states begin to implement the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, NTIA and states are working to ensure that there is a skilled and ready workforce to address forthcoming construction needs for high-speed Internet deployment. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are getting ready for this demand by developing apprenticeship and training programs to equip students with the skills they need to access higher and better paying jobs that will also support critical Internet infrastructure.

By Jill Springer, Senior Advisor, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, NTIA

High-speed Internet service connects and builds communities, accelerates economic progress, and enhances public service capabilities. Installing broadband infrastructure can be complex due to permitting processes and regulations that may influence the availability of public rights-of-way, poles, conduits, ducts, and other necessary facilities.