- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said last week it awarded grants totaling $3.4 million to seven Tribal entities.
The grants, which are part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), will help to connect Tribal households and businesses to high-speed Internet service, plan for future Internet infrastructure investments, and upgrade network equipment.
The funding is part of the Biden administration's effort to help connect everyone in America, including Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service, according to a new release.
The grants were awarded to the following Tribes:
- Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota
- Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho and Wyoming
- Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana
- Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico
- Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico
- Tulalip Tribes in Washington
The grants are part of the TBCP's equitable distribution process, which is intended to ensure that program funding is available to all eligible federally recognized Tribal governments.
The NTIA is also accepting applications for a second round of TBCP funding, which will make up to approximately $980 million in funding available. Applications must be submitted by January 23, 2024.
The TBCP is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden administration’s Internet for All Initiative, which has a $65 million price tag. The funds for tribal broadband are made available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which contained $2 billion in TBCP funding, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 202, which will fund $980 million.
