On Thursday, September 14, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, held a day-long invitation-only workshop on digital equity. The goal of the workshop was to help members of state administering entities develop implementation strategies under the Digital Equity Act, build a pipeline for distributing affordable devices as required by the Act, and learn from each other about topics including financing sustainable digital equity projects and programs. The workshop also aimed to give participants a better understanding of research and data collection to assess states' objectives.
The Digital Equity Act, passed as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to support building digital connections in areas where broadband or other internet connections are currently limited. It also aims to ensure that historically marginalized communities have affordable broadband access, internet-connected devices (such as laptops, phones or computers) for their unique needs, access to education on digital technology, tech support and apps, and online resources to help users participate.
Under the Act, a grant program will award an additional $1.44 billion over five years to states, territories, and Tribal or Native entities to implement their digital equity plans.
State administering entities in the Islands, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic states were invited to the September 14 workshop. Attendees included stakeholders who are helping design digital equity plans, such as state libraries, regional planning commissions, school districts, colleges, and universities.
This workshop was the second installment in a series of workshops that began in November 2022.
September 14, 2023
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10045
In-person event only.
