Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan Approved and State Allocated $9.9 Million for Digital Equity

Business Oregon’s Oregon Broadband Office received notifications from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan was approved and that an allocation of $9.9 million in initial funding has been awarded to the state to implement the Digital Equity Plan. More information about these important announcements is below.

Approval

On March 28, 2024, NTIA announced the acceptance of the State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan. The Plan intends to address digital disparities in access, skills, and affordability across the state.

Allocation

On Friday, March 29, 2024, NTIA announced the Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocations for states and territories to implement Digital Equity Plans. The Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity also makes $45 million available to tribal governments and Native entities for digital equity planning and digital inclusion projects.

Oregon’s initial $9.9 million allocation is the first of the total expected funds. Additional funding will be made available by NTIA in the future.

“Access to quality internet is critical to a community’s local economy,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “The investments of the Biden-Harris Administration are driving towards a United States where everyone has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service. This allocation provides an exciting pathway to bolster Oregon’s efforts to ensure that our state can continue to address barriers to digital equity.”

Oregon will use its $9.9 million Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation to implement the approved State of Oregon Digital Equity plan which will ensure that all Oregonians have meaningful access to affordable and reliable high-speed home internet, a computing device and technical support, and the digital literacy skills necessary to fully participate in the 21st-century economy and society.

Learn more about the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity and visit NTIA’s Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Oregon’s Digital Equity webpage has further details and resources available on how this funding will be used to create meaningful access to high-speed, reliable internet for all Oregonians. Visit www.oregon.gov/biz for more information.

Read the State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan. 

For more information about the Oregon Broadband Office, visit www.broadband.oregon.gov.