MBI Program Updates - December 2023

Announcing $20 Million in New Grants for the Digital Equity Partnerships Program

Public Comment Period for Massachusetts Internet for All Plan Closes on December 15th

We want to hear from you - submit your comments today!

Following months of public engagement, including numerous community listening sessions and focus groups, MBI has developed two guiding planning documents – a Statewide Digital Equity Plan and what is known as the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. These two documents create the Massachusetts Internet for All Plan.

MBI opened the public comment period after releasing these documents on November 13th and wants to hear from you on how digital equity and expanded access to broadband can be supported and improved throughout the state to achieve Internet for All.

This feedback will directly inform our approach to deploying federal funding to increase internet access in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Municipalities can be instrumental in sharing this work within their communities to ensure their specific needs and concerns are heard and incorporated within the plans.

The Public Comment Period closes on December 15. Click here to submit comments electronically.

Gap Networks Infrastructure Program Launched

Help us bring affordable, high-speed internet to every Massachusetts community

Last month, MBI launched the $145 million Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program, a new federally funded effort that will invest in expanding high-speed internet infrastructure to unserved and underserved locations across the state. This is the first source of federal broadband infrastructure funding that is being deployed by MBI in the state. MBI will prioritize grants to "connect the unconnected."

The application for the first round of grant funding closed on December 11th, 2023. There will also be a second round of applications which will open on March 6th, 2024 and close on April 17th, 2024. Learn more about this exciting new grant program here.

With these new initiatives, MBI seeks to achieve the goal of bringing affordable, high-speed internet to homes, businesses, schools, medical facilities, and other public places in every single community in Massachusetts.

Five New Cities & Towns Supported Through the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program

State Funds Help Develop Local Strategies to Increase Internet Access

Congratulations to the five new cities and towns that are being supported through the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program!

• Fitchburg
• Freetown
• Hampden
• Monterey
• Westhampton

This state-funded program funds strategic consultation to cities and towns to help them identify barriers to internet access, boost direct community engagement, and execute digital equity plans to close the digital divide. These planning activities include the development of strategic documents to identify the community's needs, interest, and key assets and provide a framework that will guide future municipal decision-making and potential investments to increase access and usage of the internet for our most impacted populations.

These new awards bring the total number of municipalities in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning program to 75. MBI provides digital equity planning support at no cost to the participating towns and cities.

MBI is accepting applications on a rolling basis, to learn more and submit an application for your town, click the button below.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) & the City of Revere Launched First Apartment Wi-Fi Program

The MBI Team Attends Tech Goes Home Annual Meeting

MBI Addresses Closing the Digital Divide at the Alliance for Digital Equity Partner Summit

Save Money on Your Internet Bill

The Federal Communication Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps low-income households across America save money on their internet bill with a $30 per month subsidy that can give them high-speed internet for free – depending on their plan.

Find out more information about the ACP and apply here.

Stay Tuned for our Digital Equity Leadership Seminar & Implementation Workshop with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)

In the fourth week of January, the MBI team is hosting a Digital Equity Leadership Seminar & Implementation Workshop in partnership with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA).

This event will feature an all-day Digital Equity Implementation Workshop for RPA’s, local planning staff, and consultants participating in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program to support the development of strategic implementation strategies and enhance the quality of local plans being produced.

It will also feature a 2-hour Leadership Seminar for local elected leaders and state representatives to learn more about the digital equity planning work in their communities. During the seminar, there will also be keynote speakers from NDIA. Breakfast will also be offered during the leadership seminar.

Check your inbox for a follow-up email with more event details soon!

Join Us at the 2024 Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Annual Meeting & Trade Show and Net Inclusion 2024 Conference

The MBI Team will have a booth with informational program materials at the Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting & Trade Show on January 19th. The team also plans to provide important information regarding the BEAD Challenge process, happening later in 2024. MBI hopes to see you all there!

MBI will also attend Net Inclusion 2024 in Philadelphia from February 13th-15th, and looks forward to seeing our Massachusetts partners there!

The Net Inclusion conference, hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), will bring hundreds of advocates, internet service providers, policymakers, and more from across the country to discuss digital equity and inclusion practices.

Join the MBI Team - Open Job Opportunity

Join the MBI team who work tirelessly towards digital inclusion to ensure everyone in the Commonwealth has equal access to technology and opportunities! MBI is looking to add a Project Manager of Communications to the team. Read an overview of the position, below:

Project Manager - Communications

MBI is looking for a highly motivated, mission driven individual who will amplify the work of MBI and attract attention to initiatives that are directly impacting residents across the state.

This position is responsible for planning and developing creative communication strategies, content, written material, and event management for the portfolio of MBI programs. For more details, click here to read the full job description.

In the News

Select Broadband News from Around the State

• The MAPC celebrated their, the City of Revere, and Revere Housing Authority's celebrated their launch of the first Apartment Wi-Fi program, aided by a MBI investment.
• The Revere Journal spoke with Josh Eichen, MBI Director of Program Development, about the Revere Apartment Wi-Fi program. 
• MBI's launch of the Gap Networks Infrastructure Grant Program was highlighted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
• Additionally, the Telecompetitor covered the launch of the Gap Networks Infrastructure Grant Program.
• The Cape Cod Commission and the town of Sandwich's hosted a Digital Equity Community Workshop, funded by MBI through the American Rescue Plan Act., and it was highlighted in CapeCod.com.
• The Reminder highlighted the City of Springfield's $102,025 grant award from the MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program.
• Tech Foundry's launch of its new Tech Hub at Holyoke Community College was covered by Spectrum News 1 (Holyoke).