Title
Apply for U.S. Department of Commerce Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Grant Opportunity for Federal Fiscal Years 2021-24 - Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding (Ordinance S-51400) - Citywide
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept and, if awarded, enter into an agreement for disbursement of Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2021-24 Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program grant opportunity. If awarded, the funding will be used to pursue digital equity initiatives in the Housing, Human Services and Library departments. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. Funding for this grant opportunity is available through the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The total grant funds applied for will not exceed $11,840,537.02, and the City’s local match would not exceed $4,556,967.73.
Report
Summary
The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is a funding program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity on July 24, 2024, offering $750 million in funding for FFYs 2021-24. The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is a discretionary grant program that aims to fund applications that will support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband for historically disadvantaged individuals, defined as “Covered Populations.”
The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program grant submittal deadline was September 23, 2024.
If awarded, the City’s application would serve Covered Populations by offering the tools, training, and services needed to promote sustainable digital engagement. The project aims to expand broadband access and digital literacy programs while ensuring economic empowerment and connectivity for underserved populations through the following initiatives:
- Phoenix Public Library Hotspot Lending Program.
- Senior and Affordable Housing Internet Program.
- Edison-Eastlake Community Wi-Fi.
- Connected Careers Initiative.
- Workforce Digital Navigator Program.
- Digital Equity for Aging Participants.
This item has been reviewed and approved by the Information Technology Services Department.
Financial Impact
The estimated total cost for the project is approximately $16,397,504.75. The maximum Federal participation rate is 90 percent, with a minimum local match of 10 percent of the total eligible project cost. For this funding opportunity, applicants are awarded additional points during review for including additional local match. If awarded, the Federal match would not exceed $11,840,537.02 (72 percent) and the City’s costs would be approximately $4,556,967.73 (28 percent) for the local match. The City’s local match contribution would consist of $987,999.22 (6 percent) from matching funds and $3,568,968.51 (22 percent) from in-kind contributions by the Housing, Human Services and Library departments.
Funding for the local match is available in the Capital Improvement Program budget. Potential grant funding received is available through the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, from the U.S. Department of Commerce through the FFYs 2021-24 Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program grant opportunity.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes, Inger Erickson and Mario Paniagua, and the Housing, Human Services, Library and Information Technology Services departments.