Unlocking Opportunity by Increasing Digital Equity
This webinar is available on-demand. If you have trouble accessing the recording, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
Closing the digital divide means more than building broadband infrastructure in areas that lack it-it also means closing the much larger gap of consumers who don't subscribe to broadband even when it is available. Billions in federal funding are now available to address these challenges. Despite this, disparities persist in the rates of broadband adoption that undermine opportunities for job training, access to health care, and economic growth. This presentation provided by Comcast will examine the roles county leaders will play in developing digital equity plans that address barriers to broadband availability and adoption and tap into broadband as a powerful tool for economic opportunity.
Watch Recording
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Speakers
Deborah Lathen
Paul Garnett
Rita Reynolds
USDA announces $44 million in rural broadband connectivity grant opportunities for FY 2026
On May 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced available grant funding under the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Earlier this month, USDA also released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for FY 2026. In total, $44 million is available in financial assistance between these two programs.
House clears budget resolution, advancing Reconciliation 2.0 to fund DHS and CBP
On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1.
DOJ rule grants extension on ADA web-based accessibility requirements
DOJ has announced plans to explore ways to lower the cost of compliance with its 2024 Final Rule on web-based accessibility requirements for state and local governments.
Federal broadband funding’s long journey
As broadband projects move into construction and early networks start coming online, county leaders must ensure that funded builds are completed as promised and network reliability keeps pace with a fast-approaching AI-driven economy.
Featured Resource
County Tech Xchange
The NACo County Tech Xchange is an online portal designed to connect county CIOs, IT Directors, CISOs, and other county IT leadership. This portal provides valuable resources in a central location that counties can use to improve their overall technology infrastructure.
