Municipalities interested in applying for this digital equity implementation opportunity must complete a two-step application process by May 31, 2024. Applications will be reviewed by MBI on a rolling basis.

• Step 1: MBI recognizes that municipalities will likely require additional planning resources to define an implementation project (or set of projects) and may wish to continue utilizing their Municipal Digital Equity Planning consultant to define project scope and budget. This additional planning scope is compensated by MBI and not deducted from the total budget for project implementation. MBI requires the planning consultant to submit this application outlining their proposed approach, deliverables, and budget as part of this brief scoping phase. MBI will review planning consultants’ applications on a rolling basis and, if approved, MBI will amend the existing contract with the planning consultants to reflect this additional scope of work.

Municipalities not participating in MBI’s planning program will go directly to Step 2 and should be prepared to submit a digital equity plan or alternative document that meets the standards listed below under Eligibility Criteria, and to apply for funding without the assistance of a pre-qualified consultant funded by MBI. 

• Step 2: After the consultant completes the additional project planning with the municipality, or a municipality identifies a pre-existing document that meets the eligibility criteria of a local digital equity plan or related document, MBI requires the municipality to submit this application by May 31, 2024 detailing their proposed implementation project goals, approach, deliverables, timeline, and budget. MBI will review applications on a rolling basis to ensure that all required eligibility criteria are met. MBI may request municipalities supply additional information if needed. MBI will then execute an agreement with the municipality to implement the submitted project scope and fulfill MBI’s reporting requirements.

Between Steps 1 and 2, the planning consultant/ municipality may engage with MBI to broker a connection to one or more of the Digital Equity Partnerships Program grantees for further project scoping and coordination purposes.

Flow chart explanation of the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Application and Contracting Process:

Eligible municipalities must have completed a Digital Equity Plan or Charrette through the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program utilizing one of MBI’s pre-qualified consultants or have a pre-existing local digital equity plan or related document that MBI has deemed of sufficient standard. MBI will use the following criteria in evaluating other local digital equity plans or related documents:

• Underlying purpose to increase internet access and usage for disadvantaged populations; and
• Identification of the needs/barriers to digital inclusion among impacted populations; and
• Strategic recommendations for implementation.

A list of questions and answers have been collected and made public as a helpful resource.

Review FAQs

Municipalities shall either continue to work with their planning consultants from MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program to further develop a specific project scope for their application into the Implementation Program or develop and submit a scope independently if not engaged in the Planning Program. This scope shall include, but is not limited to:

• Defined project goals and relation to the Digital Equity Plan/ Charette; and
• Description of how this project may benefit residents who are experiencing economic hardship exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and who cannot afford broadband service and/or internet-connected devices and/or lack the digital literacy skills needed to use the internet; and
• Proposed project approach, including key activities, milestones, deliverables, and a general timeline; and
• Rationale behind said project approach, including a summary of stakeholder/resident feedback, key data points and quantitative analysis, research on promising practices and case studies, and/or collaboration with and expertise of Digital Equity Partnerships Program grantees; and
• List of stakeholders or organizations that will be engaged in executing proposed scope; and
• Collaboration with MBI’s Digital Equity Partnerships Program grantees (if applicable); and
• Monitoring/ tracking plan for grant reporting requirements; and
• Detailed budget and budget narrative.

Municipalities will be required to provide baseline metrics and submit two reports to MBI in the performance period (one year). The first report will be submitted at mid-point and the second report will be submitted at the close of the performance period. All grantees will be required to report on metrics that align to their proposed focused area(s) as described below. Municipalities that select focus area(s) of “Staff Capacity for Digital Equity” or “Other” must define metrics as part of their application to MBI.

Wi-Fi Access and Innovative Connectivity Technology

• Number of unique network users – measured through backend management
• Length of session – measured through backend management
• Number of households adopting internet usage that were previously unable to – measured through survey
• Number of households able to save costs on internet because of Wi-Fi system – measured through survey
• Number of residents citing improvements to education, economic, social, health opportunities because of Wi-Fi systems – measured through survey

Public Space Modernization

• Number of unique network users – measured through backend management

• Length of session – measured through backend management

• Number of users citing ability to access improved resources in education, economic, social, health opportunities because of Wi-Fi systems – measured through annual survey

Connectivity for Economic Hardship

• Number of devices provided to individuals/families without stable housing
• Number of users citing ability to access improved resources in education, economic, social, health opportunities because of connectivity devices

Digital Literacy

• Number of residents able to use basic technology at the level of a Tech Goes Home program graduate or equivalent
• Number of residents able to use intermediate technology at the level of a National Digital Inclusion Alliance (“NDIA”) Digital Navigator program graduate or equivalent
• Number of residents able to use advanced technology at the level of a CompTIA Network + program graduate or equivalent
• Number of residents learning new digital skill(s) that meet a particular need (e.g. how to use a laptop to participate in a video telehealth visit)

Device Distribution and Refurbishment

• Number of devices refurbished

• Number of devices distributed

Education, Outreach, and Adoption

• Number of residents enrolled in the Lifeline Program 
• Number of residents receiving digital navigation services 

Eligible expenses for ALL areas 

• Outreach and engagement 
• Data analysis 
• Program marketing and development of materials 
• Procurement assistance 
• Technical assistance 
• Research to assess appropriate program interventions 
• Professional development and capacity building 
• Travel expenses 
• Site visits and evaluation 

Wi-Fi Access and Innovative Connectivity Technology 

• Network architecture development 
• Internet service 
• Network management 
• Networking equipment, installation and configuration 
• Software licenses 
• Coordination with local service providers 

Public Space Modernization 

• Internal space design/architecture 
• Network architecture as needed 
• Internet service 
• Network management 
• Networking equipment and configuration 
• Software licenses 
• Furniture (chairs, desks, lighting, etc.) 

Connectivity for Economic Hardship 

• Hotspot devices 
• Internet service costs associated with hotspot devices 

Digital Literacy 

• Translation expenses 
• Professional development of digital literacy “trainers” for programs that model a “train the trainer” approach 
• Physical space to conduct training activities 
• Digital literacy training curriculum and/or service providers 
• Childcare expenses 

Device Distribution and Refurbishment 

• Training curriculum and or resources 
• Childcare expenses 
• Equipment, materials and supplies required for laptop/device refurbishment 
• New internet-connected devices, including Chromebooks, laptops and tablets 
• Logistical expenses related to laptop distribution 
• Space for use 

Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

• Translation expenses 
• Stakeholder surveys 

All municipalities are strongly encouraged to complete a Digital Equity Plan or Charette through the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program before engaging in the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Municipalities that have completed a Plan or Charette will be automatically eligible for the Implementation Program.

The goal of the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program is to enable municipalities, or other local bodies of government, to engage in planning activities related to digital equity and bridging the digital divide. These planning activities will result in strategic documents designed to identify the community's needs, interest, and key assets and provide a framework that will guide future municipal decision-making and potential investments and activities that will increase access and usage of the internet for the populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MBI envisions a Commonwealth where every resident in Massachusetts has high-speed, high-quality internet availability and can confidently adopt and use the internet regardless of who they are or where they live. This universal connectivity will ensure that everyone has the support they need to enjoy full personal, civic, and economic digital participation throughout their lives with safety and security.

To achieve this vision, MBI has engaged in a planning process and submitted two separate yet coordinated strategic documents – Massachusetts Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal and the Statewide Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) – to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to access further federal funding. These documents are harmonized into one implementation framework titled Massachusetts Internet for All Plan (“Plan”) (see executive summary). Municipal Digital Equity Plans/Charettes and corresponding Implementation work will continue to be appended to the Plan to inform local, regional and statewide digital equity actions.

Following the passage of An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs, also known as Massachusetts “ARPA 1.0” legislation (codified as Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021), a $50 million Broadband Innovation Fund was established to bridge the digital divide as a component of the Commonwealth’s COVID recovery and response efforts.

As of January 2024, MBI has designated nine Digital Equity Partners as qualified organizations that can implement a suite of digital equity projects that meet the goals outlined in the state’s legislation. These Partners are expected to work with organizations such as community development corporations (CDCs), community-based organizations (CBOs), municipalities and municipal agencies, public housing authorities, community colleges, local and regional school districts, healthcare and telehealth organizations (including Federally Qualified Community Health Centers), and other entities as sub-awardees to implement digital equity projects.

Municipalities are strongly encouraged to align their project implementation scope with the Digital Equity Partnerships Program as a way to tap into high-capacity digital equity infrastructure that is statewide or regional.