The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Wyoming’s Digital Access plan. The Digital Equity Act, part of the Internet for All initiative, aims to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.
Using $530,006 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Wyoming created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills, and affordability across the state.
In the coming months, NTIA will launch the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to be published by the end of March at which time the state of Wyoming will be required to apply for the allocated funds. We anticipate those funds to be released over a three-year period and estimate Wyoming’s allocation to be between $7 to $12 million.
The draft plan includes a vision for digital equity for the state, a set of goals to activate that vision within Wyoming’s Digital Access program, current assets and barriers, and an implementation plan to achieve the goals and address the barriers identified.
To be determined. NTIA must first approve and release funds to states, which it has indicated could happen in the first half of 2024.