Federal Agency Accepts State's Digital Opportunity Plan

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) officially accepted the Texas Broadband Development Office's Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) on March 28. This makes Texas eligible for an additional award through the Digital Equity Act State Capacity Grant to fully realize the state's vision for digital opportunity as written in the TDOP. Since being awarded a Digital Equity Act Planning Grant in November 2022, the Broadband Development Office has been working with communities across the state to develop this plan addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability.

On March 29, the NTIA published the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which aims to provide digital opportunity funding for all 50 states and territories.

The program's total funding is $840 million through fiscal year 2024. Each state's funding allocation was calculated based on a formula defined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Texas' tentative allocation is $55.6 million, with additional funding expected for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

States can use the funds to update or maintain a digital equity plan, make subgrants to implement it, evaluate subgrantees' efforts and pay administrative costs.

The Broadband Development Office must submit its application to NTIA by May 28 and recommends stakeholders review the Notice of Funding Opportunity while awaiting more program details.

Please reach out to the Texas Broadband Development Office directly at [email protected] should you have questions.