Senator Murray Announces Initial Funding from Landmark Digital Equity Act

Senator Murray: “I wrote the Digital Equity Act—and fought to have it included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—because I knew that for far too many in Washington state, getting online, and making the most of your connection, isn’t an easy thing to do. These grants are an investment in our families, our workforce, and our overall competitiveness in the 21st century economy.”

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $1,076,248.79 in funding for a Digital Equity Planning Grant that will be awarded to the Washington state Department of Commerce. The funding for the digital equity grants comes from Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act, which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Washington state will also receive $5 million to plan for broadband access and deployment across the state, also funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Every American deserves and needs equal access to the internet to succeed, as well as the tools and skills to take advantage of that connection,” said Senator Murray. “I wrote the Digital Equity Act—and fought to have it included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—because I knew that for far too many in Washington state, getting online, and making the most of your connection, isn’t an easy thing to do. These grants are an investment in our families, our workforce, and our overall competitiveness in the 21st century economy. It’s great to see the first of this funding from my bill head to our state.”

Senator Murray first introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019, well before COVID-19. Murray worked hard to build a robust coalition of 100+ organizations to secure strong bipartisan consensus and support for her legislation, ultimately passing it as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act  provides $2.75 billion for federal grant programs to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to promote digital equity nationwide by:

• Building Capacity within States through Formula Grants: Creates a five-year $300 million per year formula grant program for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to fund the creation and implementation of comprehensive digital equity plans in each State.
• Spurring Targeted Action through Competitive Grants: Creates a five-year $250 million per year competitive grant program to support digital inclusion projects undertaken by individual groups, coalitions, and/or communities of interest.
• Supporting Research and Evidence-Based Policymaking: Tasks NTIA with evaluating digital equity projects and providing policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels with detailed information about which projects are most effective.

Of the grant programs established by Murray’s Digital Equity Act, the first phase, the State Planning Grants, allow states and territories to develop digital equity plans before applying for their Digital Equity Capacity Grant. Washington state is receiving $1.08 million in grant funding to develop a statewide digital equity plan. Washington state will then be eligible to apply for a Digital Equity Capacity Grant. Local organizations like schools and nonprofits will also be able to apply for competitive grants in the near future.

Murray’s Digital Equity Act is a landmark law that will help close the digital divide by funding activities that provide individuals and communities with the skills and technologies necessary to take full advantage of internet connection.

Washington state is also receiving $5 million for a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Planning Grant. Broadband access grants are a part of the BEAD program which invests in expanding high-speed internet access across all states and territories and was created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The first phase, the Planning Grants, allow states and territories to develop their high-speed internet deployment plans to make sure all residents of the state are covered before receiving their allocation for capacity building.

Overall, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $65 billion to ensure that every family in America has access to reliable, high speed internet.

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