Delaware
Amplifying Investments through Local and Regional Governments
With the help and participation of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Northeast Regional Director and Federal Program Officer (FPO), the State of Delaware hosted a series of “sprints” to help stakeholders and potential subgrantees navigate the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). The state engaged with local and regional governments, community anchor institutions, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), covered populations, workforce leaders, and business and economic development leaders through a total of 12 sessions — two specifically tailored to each stakeholder group — to solicit feedback on the state’s broadband plans and guide each group through the Internet for All grants process. Each session yielded responses to the needs and assets survey that the state is using to plan its BEAD and Digital Equity subgrantee programs.
Amplifying Voices through Town Hall Meetings
With the support of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG), the State of Delaware hosted five broadband town halls attended by over 200 people to hear public commentary on their Internet for All agenda. Each of the state’s three counties hosted one meeting, with two virtual follow-ups.
5
Broadband Town Halls
200
Attended
Trailblazing to Public Comment
Delaware was one of the first states to post its BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 for public comment. Despite its small size and, at the time, limited grants office capacity, the state produced a coherent first draft with several provisions that other states used as an example in creating their own Initial Proposals. OICG conducted a pre-review of Delaware’s Initial Proposal Volume 1 in which over 10 staffers — from the entry to leadership levels — edited the draft and shared constructive feedback with the State Broadband Office’s (SBO). OICG also administered a three-hour, one-on-one technical assistance session with the state for Initial Proposal Volume 2 on September 15.
State Broadband Office Staffing Capacity
The State of Delaware used its BEAD and Digital Equity planning funds to expand the SBO's staff capacity by over 50 percent. Originally run by only two program managers, the SBO is now led by Broadband Executive Director Roddy Flynn, whose salary comes directly from the BEAD planning grant. Flynn recently completed the hiring and onboarding of a grants manager and a digital equity coordinator, ending a year-long process to shore up the state’s grants capacity to deliver Internet for All. In doing so, the state fulfilled its budgetary commitments for the planning grants. On numerous occasions, the state used OICG’s State Broadband Office Creation Checklist to vet candidates, review applications, and prepare for interviews.