WORCESTER, Mass. - Today, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) hosted its first ever Digital Inclusion Awards during National Digital Inclusion Week. The event, held at BrickBox Theater in Worcester, celebrated individuals and organizations making significant achievements in expanding internet access, adoption and affordability across Massachusetts. The event provided an opportunity for digital equity professionals to form partnerships and build connections.
“We are excited to recognize the community-led initiatives across Massachusetts that aim to tackle the digital divide and ensure all our residents can get online,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “These local organizations help us ensure that everyone in our state has the access and tools they need to fully participate in the 21st century economy.”
“Digital equity means providing people with the tools, resources and support needed to access and use the internet effectively,” said Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Michael Baldino. “Our partners in every region of the state are working day and night to ensure that all residents not only have access to the internet, but the skills to use it. We want to thank all of our libraries, local governments, non-profits, small businesses, and volunteers who devote their time and attention to bridging the digital divide in Massachusetts."
Dozens of applications were submitted for contributions in the categories of: Digital Equity Leader, Top Innovator in Digital Inclusion, and Excellence in Community Impact.
Award recipients:
Award: Digital Equity Leader
Recipient: Mei Ngo, Tech Goes Home
Award: Excellence in Community Impact
Recipient: Tech Foundry
Award: Top Innovator in Digital Inclusion
Recipient: Mass Association of Computer and Internet Resources (MACIR)
MBI spearheads several programs to tackle the digital divide, boost digital equity, support municipalities and increase connectivity in public housing:
- $56.5 million from the Digital Equity Partnerships program to support organizations that address digital access issues like affordability, training, and access to connected devices.
- $45 million from the Gap Networks Program to fund broadband infrastructure deployments in pockets across the state that currently lack broadband service.
- $22 million from the Residential Retrofit Program to deploy state-of-the-art broadband infrastructure in 22,000 public and affordable housing properties across the state.
- 78 municipalities are participating in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning program.
Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech
A division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability across the state. To achieve this, MBI uses state and federal funding to launch infrastructure expansion programs that target areas of the state that lack high-speed internet access. MBI provides digital equity programs that tackle barriers to internet adoption and increase availability, while addressing critical issues around affordability, enhanced public Wi-Fi, the need for internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training.
Learn more at https://broadband.masstech.org.
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