{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=41CF3E22-7443-4414-9BBE-E7C4547253BF", "Biden-Harris Administration Approves and Recommends for Award Connecticut\u2019s Digital Equity Capacity Grant Application for More Than $9 Million", "2024-10-30", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "James A. Himes", "H001047", "himes.house.gov", "himes", "https://himes.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Washington, DC \u2014 The Department of Commerce\u2019s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award an application from Connecticut, allowing the state to request access to more than $9 million to implement its Digital Equity Plan. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\nThis funding is part of the \u201cInternet for All\u201d initiative, a key component of President Biden\u2019s \u201cInvesting in America\u201d agenda. For a variety of reasons, many Americans struggle to use the Internet connection available to them\u2014for example, some lack the skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online; others cannot afford a computer or tablet at home.\n\nConnecticut will use this funding to implement its digital equity plan, which outlines how the state will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.\n\n\u201cQuality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone in Connecticut and across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. \u201cWe look forward to working with Connecticut to ensure residents across the state have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed Internet \u2013 whether it\u2019s for work, education, health care, or any other essential service.\u201d\n\nThis approval is from the first funding round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made available more than $800 million for states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Native Entities to apply for grants to implement their digital equity plans. These plans were developed under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. Awards of funding will require additional review and approval of State-submitted documentation.\n\n\u201cFor the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services. Connecticut now can request access to the funds to put its digital equity plan into action,\u201d said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. \u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis award comes at a perfect time to further the important steps Connecticut has already taken to close the digital divide,\u201d said Governor Ned Lamont. \u201cWe are grateful for this investment to help ensure that all residents have the connections, computers, skills, and support to thrive in today\u2019s digital world.\u201d\n\n\u201cInternet access has quickly become a necessity in our society,\u201d said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4). \u201cWithout affordable internet and digital skills, people struggle to access adequate education, health care, and other modern resources. I am thrilled to help deliver over $9 million to Connecticut in federal funding to ensure that populations are not left behind as technology continues to advance.\u201d\n\nConnecticut will use the $9,183,114 in funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:\n\nCreate an urban and rural Digital Navigator Pilot program\n\nDevelop a digital equity curriculum covering basic digital literacy, online safety, digital citizenship, information literacy and the use of AI tools\n\nCreate a searchable database that identifies and categorizes digital equity resources\n\nAdditional funding opportunities will be available in the future. NTIA will announce State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program awards from this first round of funding on a rolling basis.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=41CF3E22-7443-4414-9BBE-E7C4547253BF"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8294852450489998, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}