Press Release  Massachusetts’ State Digital Equity Plan Approved by National Telecommunications and Information Administration

WESTBOROUGH — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Massachusetts’ State Digital Equity Plan (PDF), which was formally submitted to the federal government in December 2023. The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at Mass Tech will utilize new eligible funding to continue its work with Massachusetts communities to address the digital divide. This includes addressing digital skills training, access to devices, and internet affordability, including increasing access to low-cost options.  

“Our administration knows that the success of our digital economy depends on making sure that every community has access to high-speed, reliable internet,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve made important progress toward closing the digital divide, and our State Digital Equity Plan will help us close the remaining gaps. We’re grateful to the NTIA and Biden-Harris administration for their support of our efforts to advance digital equity in Massachusetts.”  

“Through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the state has prioritized programs to support municipal digital equity programs across the state, particularly in communities that are traditionally underserved,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The approval of the state plan will help us supercharge those efforts by unlocking access to additional federal funds to implement these programs and help more residents gain access to online job boards, healthcare resources, and digital resources that are critical to everyday life.” 

The State Digital Equity Plan was shaped in collaboration of EOED and MBI’s “Internet for All” efforts, which included a statewide listening tour, a public survey, and a public comment period to incorporate feedback from community leaders, residents, and digital stakeholders. Leveraging geographic data and digital asset mapping, the administration evaluated existing barriers and established a framework with measurable goals to tackle digital equity. 

“Digital equity and inclusion are key priorities for our state and this award will increase our economic competitiveness and get us closer to achieving our statewide goals, by bringing internet access to more residents no matter where they live,” said Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Through the grassroots planning process, we engaged a wide range of organizations and residents, to identify the challenges withholding residents from accessing the internet. We’ve created a plan to address those hurdles and will empower a stronger, and well-trained workforce for years to come.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has taken a whole-of-government approach to federal funding that has already been successful in securing nearly $3 billion in federal dollars, and has a current total of more than $2 billion in funding requests still pending before federal agencies to further priorities for infrastructure, climate, and economic development across Massachusetts. 

"The approval of the State Digital Equity Plan is an important part of our whole-of-government strategy to secure federal resources that further equity, workforce development, economic competitiveness, and more," said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "We are grateful to President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, Administrator Davidson, and our congressional partners for making possible this exciting step forward, and we will continue our work to secure federal dollars for communities across Massachusetts." 

“Today, Massachusetts is taking a major step toward closing the digital divide,” said Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). “The state's digital equity plan will empower every resident, regardless of who they are or where they live with the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to enjoy full personal, civic, and economic digital participation throughout their lives with safety and security.” 

“After working side by side with residents, local officials, and digital equity experts across Massachusetts, we are excited to put this plan into motion,” said MBI Director Michael Baldino. “MBI is first and foremost focused on the communities we serve. That’s why we amassed broad-based public feedback to build a successful roadmap, which will help us to quickly launch programs that will identify and assist people disproportionately impacted by the digital divide.” 

About the Massachusetts Broadband Institute   
A division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability across the Commonwealth. To achieve this, MBI utilizes state and federal funding to launch infrastructure expansion programs that target areas of the state that lack high-speed internet access. MBI also has digital equity programs that tackle barriers to internet adoption and increase availability, addressing critical issues around affordability, enhanced public Wi-Fi, the need for internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training. Learn more at https://broadband.masstech.org.   

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