~ Bloomington, a city in Indiana, has been recommended to receive a substantial grant of $11.4 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This recommendation is part of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, which aims to fund initiatives that promote digital inclusion and ensure equal access to technology for all members of the community.

Out of numerous applicants, Bloomington is one of only four municipalities nationwide to be recommended for this program. The city's Director of Information & Technology Services, Rick Dietz, expressed gratitude for the recommendation and acknowledged the hard work put in by their grant development team. However, he also noted that there are still further steps to be taken before the grant can be officially awarded.

If ultimately awarded, this grant will have a significant impact on improving digital device access, providing training and technical support for residents in need in Bloomington. The City's Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department will oversee the implementation of this grant in collaboration with various partners including South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP), Beacon, Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA), Monroe County Public Library (MCPL), the Ostrom Institute at Indiana University, and Meridiam/Hoosier Fiber Networks. Additional support will also come from Bloomington Township and Perry Township.

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The main goal of this project is to bridge the digital divide by utilizing affordable broadband services in lower-income neighborhoods and offering digital skills training, access to devices, technical support, and workforce development services. By doing so, the City and its partners hope to create a lasting impact by equipping residents with the necessary tools and support to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

However, it should be noted that this recommendation is still subject to review by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which may result in changes to the award amount or scope. For more information about this program and other recommended projects, interested individuals can visit the NTIA website.

In addition to this grant, the City of Bloomington ITS Department is also looking to hire a Digital Equity Specialist to support their Digital Equity Program. This position will involve overseeing the recommended 4-year $11.4 million NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program award, updating the city's Digital Equity Strategic Plan in 2025, managing the City's own Digital Equity Grants initiative, pursuing and managing federal, state and local Digital Equity grants, and overseeing the DE elements of their citywide open access fiber project. The application deadline for this position is January 20, 2025. Interested candidates can visit bloomington.in.gov/jobs for more information or to apply.

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