City of Bloomington Recommended for $11.4 Million Federal Grant to Expand Digital Equity

The City of Bloomington has been recommended to receive $11.4 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The goal of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is to fund initiatives that ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances. Bloomington is (to date) one of only four municipalities nationwide recommended for this program.

“The City of Bloomington is honored by this recommendation and grateful for the work of our grant development team,” said Rick Dietz, Director of Information & Technology Services. “This recommendation is an important step in the process; but there are additional review and processing steps yet to come. If ultimately awarded, this grant will impact digital device access, training and technical support for those residents most in need in Bloomington.”

The City's Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department will oversee the grant’s implementation in partnership with 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 comes from Bloomington Township and Perry Township.

The project seeks to bridge the digital divide by leveraging affordable broadband in lower-income neighborhoods and providing digital skills training, access to devices, technical support, and workforce development services. The City and its partners aim to create a lasting impact by ensuring residents have the tools and support to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The recommendation is subject to review by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which may lead to changes in award amount and scope. For information about the overall Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program and recommended projects, visit the NTIA website.

The City of Bloomington ITS Department is also hiring for a Digital Equity Specialist position to support our Digital Equity Program, including the recommended 4-year $11.4 million NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program award, updates to our Digital Equity Strategic Plan in 2025, administering the City's own Digital Equity Grants initiative, pursuit and management of federal, state and local Digital Equity grants, the DE elements of our citywide open access fiber project, and more. The application deadline is January 20, 2025. For more information or to apply, visit bloomington.in.gov/jobs.