North Carolina
The funding will improve access for low-income families and minority groups.
June 20, 2024 – North Carolina’s Digital Champions Grant Program on Tuesday awarded $30 million to close the digital divide, providing funding to 63 community service organizations, nonprofits, higher education institutions and community groups across the state.
The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. List of winners with project descriptions It aims to expand digital equity programs to advance digital inclusion and opportunity in the state and enable access to and use of high-speed internet.
“All North Carolinians need the resources and skills to safely and effectively use high-speed internet and benefit from the opportunities it brings,” the Governor said. Roy Cooper in press release“Digital Champion Grants will help more families participate in work and learning, access vital telehealth services, and connect with others online in an increasingly digital world.”
The funding is intended to serve underserved populations by providing internet access to low-income rural households, seniors, incarcerated and justice-involved individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, and members of racial or ethnic minority groups. Digital Champion Grants will fund projects that increase the affordability of high-speed internet, improve access to digital literacy and skills training, and provide quality technical support.
Earlier this month, North Carolina Broadband Director Maggie Woods The Director of the North Carolina Office of Digital Equity and Literacy announced that the state is also leading an effort to partner with educational institutions to expand digital equity and inclusion efforts, awarding grants to a total of 11 recipients across the state.
Woods is a state Five Key Strategies To eliminate the digital divide, “100% of households with children [must] Please subscribe to high speed internet.