Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $18 Million in Internet for All Grants to Tribal Lands

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded nearly $18 million to seven Tribal entities to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption.

The funding from the nearly $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All Initiative. These grants are from the second round of funding, which made nearly $1 billion available for the deployment of Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives.

"Access to affordable, reliable Internet is not a luxury - it's a necessity," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "That's why this historic investment to connect Tribal communities is so important. These awards will ensure that residents of Tribal lands have the Internet connections they need to take advantage of digital opportunities for work, education, health care, and other essential services.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving meaningful, universal Internet access. That's especially true on Tribal lands," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "Each grant we announce today reflects a Tribe's own novel approach to bridging the digital divide in their community."

The $17,899,778 will support Internet adoption projects on Tribal lands.

The funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($980 million) and the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($2 billion). Additional grants will be announced on a rolling basis. Projects funded by the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program are complete or are now under construction in 27 Tribal communities, and more than 4,600 households have received access to free or low-cost high-speed Internet service.

Applicant	Location	Funding Amount	Project Description
Atautchikun, LLC	AK	$7,338,679	The project will pre-pay qualifying broadband service for approximately 800 Tribal households, provide end-user devices to approximately 800 community members, and expand digital Tribal government services throughout the NANA region of Alaska.
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation	WA	$2,285,372	This project will create digital training opportunities at the Yakama Nation Library and reimburse service fees for qualifying broadband service for Tribal households, and establish community internet connection resources.
Native Village of Belkofski	AK	$623,184	The project will pre-pay broadband service for Tribal households, Tribal businesses, and community anchor institutions (CAIs) as well as distribute digital devices to tribal members that complete digital literacy trainings.
Native Village of Tetlin	AK	$822,866	The project will pre-pay qualifying broadband service for 50 Tribal households and 10 community anchor institutions throughout the Native Village of Tetlin.
Saddleback Communications	AZ	$1,651,165	This project will improve broadband affordability and digital equity within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community by providing subsidies for broadband services and managed Wi-Fi, as well as offering digital literacy classes to residents.
Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc.	ND	$2,464,533	The project will pre-pay broadband services for tribal homes as well as purchase end user equipment for those that require it. Additionally, this project will collaborate with a Tribal College for the purposes of providing a student an opportunity to intern while in school.
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians	ND	$2,713,979	The project will pre-pay qualifying broadband service for 200 Tribal households, provide end-user devices to 100 community members and small businesses, and expand digital Tribal government services.

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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA's programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.