Project Grant 1020B136

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO SUPPORT CLOSING THE BROADBAND AVAILABILITY GAP AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN.THE PROPOSED PROJECT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PLANNING AND PRE-DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES: RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION, INCLUDING INITIAL IDENTIFICATION OF UNSERVED LOCATIONS AND UNDERSERVED LOCATIONS CONSISTENT WITH RULES, REGULATIONS, AND PROCESSES COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED FOR MAKING DETERMINATIONS IN BROADBAND DATA MAPS; PUBLICATIONS, OUTREACH, AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT; PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO POTENTIAL SUBGRANTEES, INCLUDING THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS; TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES OF BROADBAND PROGRAM OR OFFICE OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY OR EMPLOYEES OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY, AND RELATED STAFFING CAPACITY OR CONSULTING OR CONTRACTED SUPPORT TO EFFECTUATE GOALS OF BEAD PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING, OPERATING, OR INCREASING CAPACITY OF A BROADBAND OFFICE THAT OVERSEES BROADBAND PROGRAMS AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN AN ELIGIBLE ENTITY; ASSET MAPPING ACROSS THE ELIGIBLE ENTITY TO CATALOGUE BROADBAND ADOPTION, AFFORDABILITY, EQUITY, ACCESS AND DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES OCCURRING WITHIN THE ELIGIBLE ENTITY; CONDUCTING SURVEYS OF UNSERVED, UNDERSERVED, AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BARRIERS TO ADOPTION; COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING THE LOCAL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION IV.C.1.C OF THIS NOFO INCLUDING CAPACITY BUILDING AT THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS OR CONTRACTED SUPPORT.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF DELAWARE'S PROPOSED PROJECT ARE THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN, THE INITIAL PROPOSAL, AND THE FINAL PROPOSAL THROUGH ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING GOALS, METRICS, AND ONGOING REPORTING; LEVERAGING CURRENT GRANT PROGRAM PROCESSES AND THE DELAWARE BROADBAND MAP TO ENABLE A CHALLENGE PROCESS; AND DEVELOPING A WORKFORCE STRATEGY WITH KEY PARTNERS TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN RESIDENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. DELAWARE'S DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION (DTI) WILL UNDERTAKE BEAD PROGRAM PLANNING OVER FIVE YEARS IN CONCERT WITH THE DIGITAL EQUITY PROGRAM, TREASURY'S CAPITAL PROJECT FUND, AND DELAWARE'S EXISTING BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAM.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED GROUPS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITH A FOCUS ON RURAL AND UNSERVED POPULATIONS.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.