Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $4.5 Million to Strengthen Internet Service and Expand Digital Education

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute have awarded $4,457,546 to 61 Massachusetts communities as part of the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. The program helps cities and towns expand internet access, purchase devices, boost digital skills training, and increase community engagement to close the digital divide. The funding will support projects that address high-priority community needs that were identified as part of the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, which helps cities and towns develop digital equity plans through strategic consultation and data collection. The implementation grants support projects focusing on:

• Connectivity for economic hardship
• Device distribution and refurbishment
• Digital literacy
• Education, outreach, and adoption
• Public space modernization
• Staff capacity for digital equity
• Wi-Fi access and innovative connectivity technology