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Digital Equity Programs   

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment and State Digital Equity Planning Grant Programs provide $48 billion for broadband infrastructure deployment and access to the technologies, skills and knowledge needed to participate in the 21st century economy. Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) the Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to promote digital equity and inclusion and ensure that all people can access affordable and reliable broadband internet, affordable computing devices and the skills needed to learn work and more. Learn more about Internet for All. 


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Oregon's Digital Equity Plan Approved and State Allocated $9.9 Million for Digital Equity

Business Oregon’s Oregon Broadband Office received notifications from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan was approved and that an allocation of $9.9 million in initial funding has been awarded to the state to implement the Digital Equity Plan.


Digital Equity is the condition in which all people have access to affordable broadband internet, an affordable computing device and the digital skills needed to learn, work, and participate in civics and society. 

Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure equitable access to, and the use of, affordable broadband internet, an affordable computing device and the skills needed to learn, work, and participate in civics and society.

It is the vision of the State of Oregon that all people in Oregon will have access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet to attain positive economic, educational, and health outcomes and to participate in social and civic life.  
  1. Universal access to affordable and reliable high-speed home internet. 
  2. Universal access to an affordable, quality, internet-enabled computing device that meets the person’s needs. 
  3. Universal access to digital literacy skills and quality technical support in culturally and linguistically diverse in-community spaces. 
  4. Universal access to the tools and information necessary to protect one’s online safety and privacy. 
  5. Universal access to inclusive state resources and online content for essential services and programs.​

  • The State Digital Equity Planning Grant is a $60M formula grant program for states, territories, and tribal governments to develop digital equity plans to promote meaningful access and effective use of the internet. While additional details are forthcoming, follow this link to learn more about this program. Program FAQs available here. 
  • Oregon was allocated $782k to develop the state digital equity plan, which identifies barriers to, and solutions for, digital equity in the state. The Draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan was posted on November 1, 2023, for a 45-day Public Comment Period. The Public Comment Period closed on December 16, 2023. The Draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan outlines the barriers and opportunities to attain digital equity for all people in Oregon. Read the draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan​​. 
  • NTIA State Digital Equity Planning Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity 
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  • The Digital Equity Capacity Building Grant Program is a $1.44 billion formula grant program for states, territories, and tribal governments. The Oregon Broadband Office anticipates learning about the State Capacity Building Grant Program allocation and will apply to NTIA for funding in 2024 to implement the State Digital Equity Plan over the next five years. 
  • NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Building Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

  • The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is a ​$1.25 billion grant program that will fund annual grant programs for five years to implement digital equity projects. 
  • While additional details are forthcoming, follow this link to learn more about this program​.