Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.

Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Rhode Island

April 30, 2024
Envisioning an Equitable, Inclusive, Connected America

Amplifying Investments

On June 1, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns co-hosted the ConnectRI Broadband Summit at the Community College of Rhode Island’ Newport campus. There were 120 in-person and 49 virtual attendees at this event, who heard remarks by Governor Dan McKee, Department of Commerce Senior Advisor to the Secretary Kevin Gallagher, NTIA staff, and members of the larger state community sharing their experience and best practices.

Other highlights include:

  • Established the first Rhode Island State Broadband Advisory Board, which met quarterly to guide state broadband policy.
  • Facilitated significant interaction with local housing authorities on broadband needs.
  • Established a Digital Equity working group to help advise the state broadband office in Digital Equity strategy development.

Connecting Tribal Nations

NTIA awarded a $2.4 million Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grant to the Narragansett Indian Tribe. This grant will increase broadband services and access for Tribal members who reside on ancestral lands in Washington County. Specifically, the project aims to provide distance learning capabilities and strengthen digital literacy, improve broadband speeds and affordability of services for community members, and promote workforce development and job creation.

Amplifying Investments

On June 30, 2023, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo returned to her home state of Rhode Island to announce its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocation of $108.7 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Governor Dan McKee, and several other dignitaries attended the announcement to discuss how Rhode Islanders will benefit from the funding. The event took place at Newport Housing Authority’s Donovan Manor, which installed broadband Internet infrastructure in 2021 after HiLo Neighborhood Association President Tommy Sheehan and a team of local activists successfully applied through the state for a $980,000 Community Development Block Grant.

 

 

Award TypeAmount Awarded
BEAD Program$108,718,820.75
BEAD Planning Grant$5,000,000.00
Digital Equity Planning Grant$506,100.07
State Broadband Office:
The Rhode Island State Broadband Office is housed at the quasi-public Rhode Island Commerce Corporation which reports to the Executive Office of Commerce.
Website:
ConnectRI

 

Topics
ACCESS BROADBAND Reports
Office
Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG)