Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program accepting applications

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute is accepting applications for the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, which provides communities with expert planning services related to digital equity and bridging the digital divide.

The Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, funded through the state’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation, is designed to integrate with the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Plan.

Planning activities will be provided from a network of consultants overseen and funded by the MBI. Program activities will provide communities with strategic documents designed to identify the community’s needs, interests, and key assets while providing a framework to guide municipal decision-making specific to increasing access and usage of the internet for the populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program also seeks to prepare participating municipalities to submit digital equity-related grant applications.

Participating cities and towns can choose from two program options: a short-term planning charrette or a longer-term Digital Equity Plan process. Municipalities may participate in both options and may collaborate with neighboring communities to take a regional approach. Regional collaborations are encouraged.

Eligible municipalities must include populations that are at or below 185% of the poverty line or 300% of the poverty line, as defined under U.S. Treasury Guidance related to ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted through an online application form. The form requires demographic information, an explanation of interest, and a letter of support from a municipal chief executive (town manager, mayor, etc.) or a majority of select board members. Participating municipalities will be required to designate a staff member to be responsible for coordinating planning activities.

For more information, contact Josh Eichen, program manager for partnerships at the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, at eichen@masstech.org.

The MMA held a webinar in November that included information about the MBI and the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program.