GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Broadband Office wants Wyomingites to provide feedback by Aug. 17 on its draft plan for funding that it might receive from the federal government.
Wyoming would spend the funding on improving affordability, adoption and use of broadband throughout the state through a multi-year grant program, according to the plan’s web page. The office wants to ensure everyone in the state can access affordable, reliable and future-proof broadband.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, would provide the money through the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. The administration must first approve and release funds to states, and it has indicated that could happen in the first half of 2024.
To receive the funding, the WBO first had to apply for a Digital Equity Planning Grant and complete a State Digital Equity Plan. The Wyoming Digital Access Plan will guide the state’s efforts and the application to the NTIA for the funding.