SPOKANE, Wash. — U.S. Senator from Washington Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, announced that five tribes in the State of Washington have been awarded federal grants totaling $32.3 million through the Department of Commerce’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP).
The Washington State Department of Commerce also received a $15.9 million grant from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to advance key digital equity initiatives to increase consumer privacy, cybersecurity and digital literacy to help protect Washingtonians online.
The State of Washington will receive $15,983,291 to advance Washington’s Digital Equity Plan to promote digital literacy by developing advanced cybersecurity training that is designed to be accessible for “Covered Populations” meaning, aging individuals, veterans, low-income households, individuals with disabilities, rural communities, incarcerated individuals and English learners. Funding will go towards training certificate programs, outreach and engagement, in-person digital tools training and educational resources.
“With this funding, the State of Washington will have the tools to overcome the digital divide and promote good cyber hygiene. This is timely as we have seen how bad actors can take advantage of security vulnerabilities online,” said Cantwell. “A statewide digital and cybersecurity literacy program will help promote the adoption of technology and ensure that Washingtonians are protected from online threats.”
Of the $15 million, the Spokane Tribe will receive $1,158,920 for projects that aim to provide digital literacy and technology equity opportunities for tribal members.
“This project will provide digital literacy and technology equity opportunities for the Spokane Tribe of Indians,” said Cantwell. “As more and more of our lives rely on the internet it is important to invest not only in infrastructure but in the education and tools needed to access the digital economy.”
The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden Administration’s Internet for All Initiative.
The program is funded through $980 million made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Grants are directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability and digital inclusion.
The Digital Equity Act, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. This funding allows states and territories to begin implementation of their digital equity plans and allows native entities to create digital equity plans and projects.
Cantwell has worked to increase access to broadband connectivity, helping to secure $65 billion in the BIL to increase broadband access in rural and underserved communities, including $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
So far, more than $100 million has been awarded to tribes in the State of Washington from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. A map of all Washington state award recipients can be found here.
