8 more states receive first broadband planning grants from NTIA

Another eight states are set to receive planning grants from the Biden administration’s “Internet for All” program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced Monday.

The states included in Monday’s announcement were Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

This latest batch of grants comes after the NTIA disbursed nearly $67 million in broadband planning funds distributed amongst 11 states and D.C. on Thursday as part of 2021’s infrastructure law. Monday’s announcement brings the total of states that’ve received their first grants to 35 and the total funds awarded to just under $200 million.

The grants are comprised of two parts included in the “Internet for All” program: the $2.5 billion Digital Equity Act and the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment fund, the bulk of which will be distributed next year.

“Access to affordable, reliable internet is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity for connecting individuals to employment, education, and essential government services,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose state received $7.2 million, the largest award of the day. “This funding from the Biden-Harris administration will help to keep New Yorkers connected and build our digital infrastructure for the 21st century economy. I want to thank our federal partners for making this investment in our state, and I look forward to continuing that partnership to expand digital equity and ensure that high-speed broadband is available to all.”