Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.5 Million to Nebraska in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awards Nebraska with its first “Internet for All” grant for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs. Nebraska is receiving $5,598,563.04 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet throughout the state. Nebraska will receive $4,999,817.07 to fund:

• Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
• Capacity building of the state's broadband office;
• Creating a framework through which grants are distributed to subgrantees based on the structure in place for the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP) grant program;
• Improved understanding of the specific areas of need for high-speed Internet service;
• Outreach to communities throughout Nebraska.

Nebraska will receive $598,745.97 from the Digital Equity Act to fund:

• Developing Nebraska's Digital Equity Plan;
• Community outreach and engagement through public comments, regional or tribal digital equity planning committees, site visits, and regional listening sessions;
• Surveying for digital equity assets to understand barriers to high-speed Internet adoption; 
• Subawards to Nebraska's eight economic development districts to develop seven regional digital equity plans.