COLUMBIA, SC – Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) announced $12.8 million in Digital Equity Capacity Funding for South Carolina. The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today has approved and recommended for award applications for 7 states, allowing them to request access to more than $100 million to implement their Digital Equity Plans. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“I am proud that South Carolina has been awarded $12.8 million in funding for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-6). “The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Digital Equity Capacity funding brings us one step closer to providing resources to community organizations to help scale digital literacy programs, reskill the workforce, and expand affordability and access to broadband technology for all South Carolinians. These programs give people the skills they need to effectively use the internet that is rapidly being deployed across the state.”
“Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “We look forward to working with the awardees to ensure all residents have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed Internet – whether it’s for work, education, health care, or any other essential service.”
“For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services. These states now can request access to the funds to put their digital equity plans into action,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills.”
South Carolina will use the funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:
South Carolina: $12,846,583
- Award mini-grants up to $50,000 annually in every county to increase access to Internet-enabled devices, digital skills training, and offer various life-essential training opportunities in such areas as personal finance, healthcare, and education;
- Develop a device recycling and refurbishment program to support distribution to covered households; and
- Establish a digital navigators program that will train individuals on how to work with covered populations to increase digital skills.
This funding is part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda. For a variety of reasons, many Americans struggle to use the Internet connection available to them—for example, some lack the skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online; others cannot afford a computer or tablet at home.
States will use this funding to implement their digital equity plans, which outlines how they will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.