[Durham INC] Fwd: [epa-ej] Department of Commerce’s NTIA Accepting Applications for $268 Million Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

[Merrick Moore Community]

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*Department of Commerce’s NTIA Accepting Applications for $268 Million
Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program*

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity
<https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=335076> for
the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which will direct $268
million for expanding broadband access and connectivity to eligible
Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or
Universities (TCUs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and consortia
led by an HBCU, TCU, or MSI that also include a minority business
enterprise or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

NTIA is holding a series of webinars to further inform the public. To learn
more about the next Connecting Minority Communities webinars, please visit:
https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/events/latest-events

“Communities of color have faced systemic barriers to affordable broadband
access since the beginning of the digital age,” said U.S. Secretary of
Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “The investments we make as part of the
Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program will help communities that
are struggling with access, adoption, and connectivity, and will inform our
path forward as we seek to finally close the digital divide across the
country.”

The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program was established by the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Grants will be distributed to help
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs purchase broadband service or equipment, hire IT
personnel, operate a minority business enterprise or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization, and facilitate educational instruction, including remote
instruction.

“NTIA knows how crucial colleges, universities, and other community
institutions can be when it comes to reaching vulnerable citizens and
making a lasting impact,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Evelyn Remaley.
“We look forward to working with Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-serving
institutions to advance our shared goal of a fully connected nation.”

The Notice of Funding Opportunity published on grants.gov
<https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=335076>
outlines the requirements for grant applications and other information
about the program. Completed applications must be received by grants.gov no
later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 1, 2021. In June, NTIA published the
Final Rule for the program
<https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2021/department-commerce-s-ntia-releases-final-rule-268-million-connecting-minority>,
which included programmatic scope, general guidelines, and described the
agency’s method to determine applicant eligibility and identify which
eligible recipients have the greatest unmet financial needs.

For up-to-date information about Environmental Justice funding
opportunities, events, and webinars, subscribe to EPA's Environmental
Justice listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej at lists.epa.gov.
Follow us on Twitter: @EPAEnvJustice <https://twitter.com/EPAEnvJustice>.




-- 
Bonita Green
Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation
*merrickmoorecommunity at gmail.com <merrickmoorecommunity at gmail.com>*
954.632.2079 (mobile)
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