Implement the arizona digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program

This federal Project Grant award of $16,170,760.44 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program (CFDA 11.032) will enable the Arizona Commerce Authority to implement the Arizona Digital Equity Plan. The key activities include establishing local and tribal digital equity specialists, supporting digital equity planning with a focus on rural areas, increasing telehealth access and digital health navigator services, expanding digital literacy and skills training for incarcerated individuals, strengthening community digital navigation services, and ensuring affordable device access for Arizonans. The project aims to increase digital literacy and skills training opportunities, as well as improve accessibility of online spaces and content for underserved populations across the state. The award has an effective date of January 1, 2025 and is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2029. The Arizona Commerce Authority plans to subaward funds to support the implementation of the state's digital equity plan activities.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to implement the arizona digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program.

Activities

The proposed project activities include: establish local & tribal designated digital equity specialists; support local & tribal capacity for DE planning with an emphasis on rural inhabitants; increase telehealth access points & support digital health navigator services; increase digital literacy and skills training opportunities with a focus placed on incarcerated individuals; strengthen community support through digital navigation service utilization; ensure arizonans have an affordable device that meets their unique needs.

Expected outcomes

The proposed projects will result in: increased opportunities for digital literacy & skills training tailored to the need of the covered populations; increased accessibility of online spaces and content for a wider range of persons.

Intended beneficiaries

Residents of the state of arizona and principally unserved and underserved covered populations statewide.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does plan to subaward funds. The purpose is for implementing the DE plan activities.