Article Summary –
The Department of Commerce has approved Michigan’s plan to increase access to broadband internet and digital skills training, sponsored by the Digital Equity Act. The plan, released by Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, estimates that around 30% of Michigan households lack fast internet access or have none at all, with the situation being worse for low-income households, ethnically diverse homes, and those with older residents. The plan calls for expanded internet service, improved speeds, and community education and training programs, aiming to close the existing digital divide by 2030.
Michigan’s Digital Equity Plan gets green light from Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce recently approved Michigan’s plan to boost broadband internet access and digital skills training. The state is set to receive a grant later this year, along with the other 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., to implement their respective digital equity plans.
Funds for these grants come from the $2.75 billion earmarked by the Digital Equity Act, part of the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden.
Michigan rolled out its Digital Equity Plan in July 2023, highlighting that nearly 30% of Michigan households lack fast or any internet access. This digital divide is more prominent in low-income households, homes with racial and ethnic minorities, seniors, and rural areas.
The state’s plan envisions expanding internet service, upgrading existing network speeds, and enhancing digital technology education and training. The aim is to close the digital divide by 2030, according to the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office.
A January report by the National Skills Coalition underscored the necessity of high-speed internet access, with 89% of Michigan jobs requiring digital skills.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, responding to the report, emphasized the need to bridge the skills gap to enhance economic opportunity and workforce readiness in Michigan.
The Biden administration has already backed Michigan’s efforts to bridge the digital divide significantly.
In 2023, Michigan secured $1.5 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment fund, part of the infrastructure law. The state is currently inviting applications for projects aimed at expanding broadband to receive grants from this fund.
Additional federal support included a grant for the Merit/MOON-Light project at Michigan State University. This initiative, in collaboration with networking company Merit, aims to provide high-speed internet to 17,000 underserved households across 74 Michigan counties.
As part of the Biden administration’s Internet For All initiative, grants have also been awarded to several Native American tribal communities in Michigan to boost internet service and promote distance learning and telehealth initiatives.
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