Press Release
☷Biden Administration Awards Nearly $77 Million to Expand Internet Access for Dozens of Tribes
U.S. Department of Commerce ( By Press Release office)
May 04,2022
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Biden Administration Awards Nearly $77 Million to Expand Internet Access for Dozens of Tribes FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday , May 4 , 2022 Office of Public Affairs publicaffairs@doc . gov Today , the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA ) announced that it has awarded 19 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program . Andy Berke , NTIA’s Special Representative for Broadband , will announce the grants at an event in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona . The grants , totaling nearly $77 million , are being awarded in 10 states – Alaska , Arizona , California , Connecticut , Louisiana , Michigan , Oklahoma , Rhode Island , South Dakota , and Washington . They will fund internet use and adoption projects to improve healthcare , workforce development , education , housing , and social services in tribal communities . For example , the Gila River Indian Community grant will assist in telehealth expansion , distance learning opportunities and digital inclusion efforts . More information on these awards is provided in the table below . NTIA has now made a total of 33 awards totaling more than $83 million in funding through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program . These awards are part of the Biden Administration’s whole - of - government effort to connect everyone in America with affordable , reliable , high - speed internet . “For far too long , Tribal Communities have been cut off from the benefits of high - speed internet , as well as the associated economic benefits that come with it . From running a business to taking online classes to scheduling a doctor’s appointment , the internet is a necessary tool for participating in our modern economy , and it’s an absolute injustice that this resource has been deprived from so many Native Americans across our country , ” said U . S . Secretary of Commerce Gina M . Raimondo . “This critical funding will bring affordable , high - speed internet service to Tribes from Alaska to Rhode Island , and many places in between , expanding access to telehealth , distance learning , and workforce development . Today’s awards reaffirm the Biden - Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring that Tribal communities , as well as unserved and underserved communities in every state and territory , have the resources they need and deserve to thrive in our increasingly digital economy . ”“Affordable access to the Internet opens a world of life - saving technologies , economic opportunities , remote learning , and countless other essential benefits , ” said Alan Davidson , Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information . “Our Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is playing a crucial role in closing the digital divide and expanding internet to tribal communities across America . ”The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program , which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 , makes $980 million available for grants to eligible Native American , Alaska Native , and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment , digital inclusion , workforce development , telehealth , and distance learning . President Biden’s recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides an additional $2 billion in funding for this program , as part of a historic $65 billion investment to expand broadband in communities across the U . S . Using resources provided by the law , NTIA is preparing to launch a series of new high - speed internet grant programs that will build internet infrastructure across the country , create more low - cost internet service options , and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities . Additional broadband funding may be available through the Department of Treasury’s American Rescue Plan Funds . The BroadbandUSA Federal Funding Guide also compiles federal funding opportunities for expanding and improving broadband access . More information about the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program can be found on the BroadbandUSA website . Applicant Location Type of Project Funding Amount Brief Description Alaska Federation of NativesState of Alaska Use & Adoption $35 , 102 , 141 . 00This project proposes a consortium consisting of 73 Alaska Native Tribal governments , Alaska Native Corporations ( ANCs ) , and tribal organizations to reduce barriers to broadband usage among Native Alaskans by providing broadband - enabled devices , subsidizing broadband service , and implementing digital skills and workforce training . It will also seek to improve health care access among tribal communities by equipping Alaska tribal health partners with the equipment and training needed to offer telehealth services . Cape Fox CorporationKetchikan , AlaskaUse & Adoption$1 , 901 , 262 . 82This project proposes to address key challenges confronting the Cape Fox Corporation in developing programs and resources to address systemic and COVID - 19 related concerns , building capacity to expand internet adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , telework , and digital inclusion efforts . Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone AuthorityEagle Butte , South DakotaUse & Adoption$2 , 367 , 685 . 00This project proposes to address key challenges confronting the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority ( CRSTTA ) . Despite offering internet service to 90% of 2 . 8 million acres of the Cheyenne River Reservation , CRSTTA’s broadband subscription penetration is approximately 58% and CRSTTA is unable to reduce its broadband service pricing . The implementation of this project will enable internet adoption activities , including digital inclusion efforts and affordable internet programs . Cowlitz Indian TribeLongview , WashingtonUse & Adoption$7 , 580 , 563 . 59This project proposes to increase broadband use and adoption among Native American Tribal citizens and community members in Longview , Washington through the implementation of affordable broadband services , distribution of enabled devices , digital literacy and skills training programs , and the launch of a Tribal platform for the delivery of tribal services . Coyote Valley Band of Pomo IndiansRedwood Valley , CaliforniaUse & Adoption$596 , 796 . 00This project proposes to increase internet capacity and service for Tribal households as well as Tribal government facilities and other community anchor institutions . The project will strengthen internet services by purchasing and installing equipment that will enable the Tribe to provide internet service for the entire reservation . The project will also promote internet adoption activities , including distance learning , telework , and entrepreneurship . Delaware NationAnadarko , OklahomaUse & Adoption$7 , 219 , 710 . 96This project proposes to address key challenges impeding the Delaware Nation’s ability to provide internet service and equipment for Tribal members . The project will upgrade capacity at specific community anchor institutions and provide internet equipment and service to Tribal members focused on broadband adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , workforce development , and digital inclusion efforts . Flandreau Santee Sioux TribeFlandreau , South DakotaUse & Adoption$2 , 477 , 508 . 60This project proposes to provide internet access for Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal households , businesses , and community anchor institutions in Moody County , South Dakota . The project will enable internet adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , and digital inclusion efforts . Gila River Indian CommunityGila River , ArizonaUse & Adoption$4 , 477 , 345 . 00This project proposes to improve access to and use of internet services among Pima and Maricopa Tribal members in Pinal and Maricopa counties , Arizona . Internet network expansion will assist in telehealth expansion , distance learning opportunities , affordable internet service , economic growth , and digital inclusion efforts where demands for Internet access has grown as a result of the COVID - 19 pandemic . Kotzebue IRAKotzebue , AlaskaUse & Adoption$2 , 500 , 000 . 00This project will address the affordability of internet services for Kotzebue IRA Tribal members via the member owned OTZ Telephone Cooperative . The project will use grant funds to improve access and use of broadband services for Tribal residents , businesses , and community anchor institutions expanding telehealth and distance learning opportunities as well as economic and workforce development . Mashantucket Pequot Tribal NationMashantucket , ConnecticutUse & Adoption$493 , 008 . 00This project will assist 163 Tribal households , workforce development staff , and Tribal institutions in New London County , Connecticut , in developing programs and resources to address COVID - 19 challenges that have impacted Tribal members . The project intends to provide affordable internet service and equipment for Tribal members in addition to creating a workforce development center that will assist the Tribe’s workforce development program in training , readiness , and job placement . Narragansett Indian TribeCharlestown , Rhode IslandUse & Adoption$2 , 498 , 250 . 00This project proposes to increase internet services and access for Tribal members who reside on ancestral lands in Washington County , Rhode Island . The project aims to provide distance learning capabilities and strengthen digital literacy , improve broadband speeds and affordability of services for community members , and generate workforce development and job creation . Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the PotawatomiFulton , MichiganUse & Adoption$1 , 205 , 764 . 00This project proposes to upgrade existing local fiber optic infrastructure that currently serves Tribal government offices , Tribal businesses , and community anchor institutions in addition to 35 Tribal households . These upgrades will assist Tribal members in gaining better access to telehealth , distance learning , and economic and workforce development in addition to digital inclusion efforts . Pauma Band of Luiseno IndiansPauma Valley , CaliforniaUse & Adoption$498 , 380 . 00This project seeks to reduce barriers to internet usage among tribal members in Pauma Valley , California by conducting a broadband adoption and use study to explore solutions and programs related to internet affordability , distance learning , telehealth , and telework . Additionally , the project will purchase laptops and tablets and distribute them to a limited number of tribal members for the use of telework , telemedicine , and remote learning . Finally , the project will host at least 20 broadband and technology use trainings for community members . Samish Indian NationAnacortes , WashingtonUse & Adoption$584 , 800 . 00This project proposes to address the current digital divide by conducting an analysis of internet assets , digital literacy skills , and the availability of broadband equipment and devices for Samish Tribal citizens . Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse ReservationAgency Village , South DakotaUse & Adoption$1 , 847 , 628 . 00This project proposes to address key challenges faced by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation , which include a severe lack of access to internet service and the inability to communicate with community members and essential services due to coverage gaps . Project implementation will enable broadband adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , and telework . Skagway Traditional CouncilSkagway , AlaskaUse & Adoption$2 , 044 , 600 . 00This project proposes to create an affordable broadband program that will provide no - cost , high - speed internet service to the remote Skagway Village . The implementation of the project will enable internet adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , workforce development , and digital inclusion efforts . Tunica - Biloxi Tribe of LouisianaMarksville , LouisianaUse & Adoption$2 , 499 , 947 . 00This project proposes to address key challenges confronting the Tunica - Biloxi Tribe in expanding access to internet services while also increasing digital literacy among its Tribal Citizens . The implementation of the project is expected to enable internet adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , affordable internet programs , and digital inclusion efforts . United Urban Indian Council Inc . Oklahoma City , OklahomaUse & Adoption$500 , 000 . 00This project proposes to provide internet education , awareness , training , access , and equipment for Native American communities within Oklahoma County , Oklahoma . United Urban Indian Council is targeting specific populations to include low - income families , disabled individuals , seniors , and minority - owned businesses . The implementation of this project will enable internet adoption activities , including telehealth , distance learning , and digital inclusion efforts . Viejas Band of Kumeyaay IndiansAlpine , CaliforniaUse & Adoption$592 , 110 . 00This project proposes to fund five years of internet service for 215 tribal households in Alpine , California . Bureaus and Offices National Telecommunications and Information Administration Tags Broadband
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