Plan Outlines Strategies to Promote Digital Literacy, Increase Access to Affordable Devices, and Address Other Barriers to Broadband Adoption – Plan Available Here
Follows U.S. Department of Commerce Approval of ConnectALL Digital Equity Plan, Making $37 Million in Federal Funding Available to Support Implementation
Builds on Governor’s $1 Billion ConnectALL Initiative to Transform New York’s Digital Infrastructure and Expand Access to Affordable, Reliable, High-Speed Internet
Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled the $50 million New York State Digital Equity Plan to close New York’s digital divide. The plan outlines New York’s statewide strategy to increase its capacity to improve digital literacy and digital job readiness skills, facilitate access to affordable internet and devices, enhance digital privacy and safety, and make government services more accessible through the internet. The announcement follows the plan’s approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, making New York eligible to apply for a $36.8 million federal Capacity Grant to implement the Plan, and builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to making affordable broadband accessible to all New Yorkers. The plan is available for download here.
“With the launch of New York’s Digital Equity Plan, we are bringing the state one step closer to closing the digital divide,” Governor Hochul said. “Affordable, accessible broadband is essential for connecting New Yorkers to work, education, and vital government services, and I will continue to work closely with the Biden administration and New York’s congressional delegation to advance our ConnectALL initiative and ensure that New Yorkers can participate in our modern economy.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership we are making sure that homes and businesses across the state are connected and have the resources they need to be successful, grow and thrive. This federal funding awarded to New York’s ConnectALL program will allow us to double the capacity of its digital equity ecosystem over the next ten years by building on existing assets, strengthening partnerships, and connecting the most difficult locations in the state.”
The Plan establishes a vision and comprehensive framework to guide the state’s digital equity strategy and will anchor all of ConnectALL’s programs, including building digital skills and literacies, enhancing privacy and safety, increasing access to devices, and improving the accessibility of government services for New Yorkers. The Plan also includes regional snapshots and a searchable statewide inventory of nearly 1,000 programs and organizations working to address the barriers to broadband adoption.
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